771.74/141: Telegram
The Minister in Bulgaria (Earle) to the Secretary of State
[Received 9:08 p.m.]
114. The Foreign Minister has just informed me he did not think General Antonescu2 would interrupt present negotiations between Rumania and Bulgaria and that an agreement might be signed in a few days. The points under discussion were territory, exchange of populations and financial questions.
Full agreement had been reached as regards territory—the boundary line would be that of 1912.
Also complete agreement had been reached on the exchange of populations. Rumanians in southern Dobrudja are to move to Rumania and Bulgarians in northern Dobrudja are to move to Bulgaria; the number exchanged to be equal. This will be compulsory. The nationals of the two countries residing elsewhere in the other country will have the option of moving to their own country.
As to the financial terms the Rumanians had asked for 15,000,000,000 lei but have now accepted the Bulgarian figure of 1,000,000,000 lei. The remaining unsettled point was the payment for goods requisitioned by the Rumanians in southern Dobrudja.
Mr. Popoff emphasized that unlike the case of Hungary, Bulgaria was reaching its agreement with Rumania entirely amicably. It was true that without the influence of the Axis, Rumania would never have agreed to give up the territory; but the rest of the negotiations had been conducted directly between the two countries without pressure from the Axis.
[Page 505]Mr. Popoff stated he did not believe that Rumania might now lose her independence. The real danger he thought was internal and if General Antonescu could restore order Rumania would remain independent. He said he did not think that Germany which already has her hands full with several countries wished also to occupy Rumania. He thought that this was likewise true of all the Balkan States.
Regarding Russia’s intentions concerning Rumania, Mr. Popoff replied that the German guaranty would apply. Should Germany become weak that might be another matter, but as things stood he did not feel Russia would dare to endanger Rumania’s independence.
Regarding the recent Greek-Italian tension3 he said that he believed the crisis had passed and that Italy would not invade Greece. He could not see it in Italy’s interest to do so now. He concluded by saying that he thought it possible that Germany had cautioned Italy not to invade Greece but he had no definite information on this point.
- By decrees of September 4, King Carol II of Rumania gave up his dictatorial powers, suspended the constitution of February 27, 1938, dissolved Parliament, and gave full powers to the new Prime Minister, General Ion Antonescu, to conduct state affairs. Two days later Carol abdicated in favor of his son, King Mihai (Michael).↩
- For correspondence on the Graeco-Italian war, see vol. iii, pp. 524 ff.↩