Foreign Relations of the United States Diplomatic Papers, 1940, General, Volume I

761.71/293: Telegram

The Minister in Rumania (Gunther) to the Secretary of State

Bucharest, September 25, 1940—1 p.m.
[Received 3:05 p.m.]

561. According to a member of the German Legation here the Russian civil authorities are about to take over from the military in Bessarabia and occupied Rumanian Bukowina. The evacuation of the 80- to 90,000 German subjects in both provinces has begun and is proceeding according to plan.²⁸

My 482, August 28, 4 p.m.²⁹ Apart from that already reported I have but little reliable information as to conditions. On the whole my impression is that the administration of these provinces by the military authorities has been about what could be expected, the chief fear being of what may be in store for the populations upon the assumption of power by the civilian authorities.

Gunther

28. In his despatch No. 1501, July 17, 1940, the Minister stated his view that Germany had had no advance agreement with the Soviet Union for the distribution of Rumanian territory, otherwise “the Germans would have succeeded not only in getting out their 100,000 Germans from the Northern Bucovina and Bessarabia, but also all movable German property. And this is not the case.” (761.71/282)
29. Not printed.