"Russkoe Delo" and the "Bessarabian Cause": The Russian Political Émigrés and the Bessarabians in Paris (1919-1920)

Abstract

The study reconstructs the involvement and the activities carried out during the Paris peace conference of 1919-1920 by the Russian political émigrés and diplomats, as well socialpolitical organizations, for the switching of the Bessarabian status from Romania back within the Russian borders. The plan was perceived as part of "Russkoe delo", directed toward defeating the Bolsheviks and conserving Russia in its pre-1914 borders. The Bessarabian "delegates", representatives of the "old" and the "new" regional elite, who disagreed on the political regime of the future Russia, but were united by the anti-Romanian feelings, worked hand in hand with the Russians to inform, persuade, and propagate, as well counterbalance the Romanian position at the conference.