740.0011 European War 1939/4400: Telegram
The Minister in Rumania (Gunther) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 4—10 a.m.]
331. The texts of all communications exchanged by this Government with that of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics through the Rumanian Minister in Moscow have now been given out in the speech made yesterday before the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Parliament by the Minister for Foreign Affairs.62 The Russian Minister Lavrentev did not figure in the negotiations and has not yet been received by the King. I understand that the address which he proposed making to the King was unacceptable. The texts of the communications exchanged with Russia which I had obtained from various sources are as communicated to you in my telegrams Nos. 304, June 27, 4 p.m., 307, June 27, 8 p.m., and 316, June 28, 3 p.m.63 There remains only the last communication of the Rumanian Government dated June 28, a translation of which I quote herewith:
“In order to avoid the serious consequences that the use of force and the beginning of hostilities in this part of Europe might have brought, the Rumanian Government finds itself forced to accept the evacuation conditions specified in the Soviet answer.
However, the Rumanian Government wishes to extend the length of terms mentioned in paragraphs 1 and 2, because the evacuation of [Page 490] the territories in 4 days is extremely difficult to accomplish on account of the rains and inundations which have impaired the means of communication.
The joint committee appointed by paragraph 5 could discuss or solve this question.
The names of the Rumanian delegates for this committee will be made known during the day.”
The declarations to the Foreign Relations Commission of both the Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs stress the brutality of the despoliation of the territory of a nation of barely 20 millions by that of one of 280 millions. The keynote of patience is struck in these addresses but not resignation and the connotation thereof is that the day will some time come when this cruel wrong can be remedied.