740.0011 European War 1939/4388: Telegram
The Minister in Rumania (Gunther) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 3—9:55 p.m.]
327. With the cession of territory to Russia the Jewish problem in Rumania has become more acute. Prior to the Russian ultimatum the new political party formed along Nazi lines had excluded Jews from membership and consequently had politically and economically disemployed them. This had caused grave alarm among Jews and even the rasher Rumanian leaders felt sure that such an action was premature and endangered the economic structure of the country at a critical time. Upon Russian occupation of Bessarabia and northern Bukovina Jewish groups relying upon the protection of the Russians have taken the opportunity to repay old scores and there have been many incidents reported some of which have been most sanguinary. Jews in the rest of Rumania have openly expressed their pleasure at the Russian occupation and many are moving into the ceded area while those resident there are mostly remaining. This would seem to offer an excellent opportunity for settling this old question from the Rumanian point of view by migration of Jews into Bessarabia (as of possible interest see my letter of January 11, 1938,2 page 5 last paragraph to Under Secretary Welles) but feelings have been much inflamed by the more radical Rightist elements until the situation has become alarming and may result in serious difficulties. Certain members of the Government and more serious leaders are counseling calm and caution realising that any excesses will be a direct provocation to Russia which she will not be slow to accept as well as a signal for the possible outbreak of disturbance from other disaffected minority groups. There is reason to believe that other Government officials are pursuing the traditional policy in southeastern Europe of using anti-Semitic agitation to cloak from the people at large Government inefficiency and ineptitude. Very strict instructions are being issued by the Government however, to avoid provocative acts.
[Page 765]The supposedly loyal Jewry in Rumania has not as yet made any statement disclaiming or renouncing the action of its coreligionists. I discussed this matter with a leading Jew this morning and he alleged that no publicity would be given such a statement. I am inclined to the view, however, that he and his associates hesitate to align themselves one way or the other until the eventual potentialities of Russian aggression become more apparent.
The situation however, is entirely different from that which prevailed after the entrance of the Goga government in power when prior to any instruction from you I made the representations to the new Prime Minister and other authorities set forth in my telegram No. 3 of January 7, 3 p.m., 1938.3 In view of the natural national resentment that a Rumanian minority should so disloyally welcome the invaders it would be difficult to find grounds for general representations pending specific instances other than to intimate that any violence against the Jews here would only be playing the Russian game as the Russians would probably like nothing better than that excuse for further encroachment. No American interests or citizens in non-occupied Rumania have as yet been threatened.
- Not found in Department files.↩
- Foreign Relations, 1938, vol. ii, p. 674.↩