871.6363/163: Telegram
The Minister in Rumania (Jay) to the Secretary of State
[Received 7:15 p.m.]
18. Your 15, May 24, 6 p.m. The Government has decided to present to Parliament and presumably to rush through the mining bill at once instead of during the fall session, in this way, if possible, forestalling concerted foreign action. This move was contrary to the general belief which apparently was officially inspired.
My British colleague and I did not receive this definite information until May 25. Yesterday the British Minister telegraphed for instructions. The Minister of Foreign Affairs has just returned from foreign tour with the King. Today I conferred at length with the Minister and impressed my views upon him with greatest energy, telling him that I understood that those views were shared by the representatives here of other countries having oil interests. He assured me that objectionable features are removed from the bill as now drafted and also that it would [not?] be rushed through Parliament without debate. It is doubtful in my mind whether either of these assertions is correct. So far, however, my British colleague and I have not been able to obtain a copy of the law.
The presentation of the bill at this time took my interested colleagues completely by surprise as they anticipated no action until fall. For that reason the only protest made is my note of March 29.8 Unofficially I am trying to have my colleagues immediately offer oral protests without waiting for instructions.
I agree with the local representative of the Standard Oil Company that the effect of the law as originally contemplated would be almost disastrous. I recommend that if it is practicable other powers be approached in an effort to secure identic action here immediately.