761.71/265: Telegram
The Minister in Rumania (Gunther) to the Secretary of State
[Received 9:03 p.m.]
412. My 255, June 5, 1 p.m., last sentence.76 I am confidentially informed that Gafencu, former Minister for Foreign Affairs, will go to Moscow in a few weeks’ time replacing Davidescu. I consider this a very constructive step in Russo-Rumanian relations. This of course has been done by the King and it was at first difficult to persuade Gafencu to serve in this capacity with the present government with which he is not in sympathy. The King convinced him that he would not be serving this particular government but his country [Page 496] and that he should make the great personal sacrifice of living in Moscow for a year or less at this critical juncture.77
- Not printed; the reference is to whether Gafencu would go to Turkey or to the Soviet Union as Minister (740.0011 European War 1939/3553).↩
- The Minister reported in telegram No. 416, July 25, 1 p.m., that the Soviet Government agreed to the appointment of Gafencu within 24 hours. “This is unheard of. Heretofore it has been a matter of 6 months at least.” (761.71/-268)↩