740.00119 EW 1939/9–244
The Department of State
to the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Washington, September 2,
1944.
Memorandum for Admiral Leahy
The Department of State transmits herewith for the attention of the
Joint Chiefs of Staff a copy of the text, as provided by the British
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Embassy, of the terms
of surrender as formulated by the Soviet Government for presentation
to the Rumanian representatives now in Moscow. This text, which has
been communicated to the American and British Governments for their
consideration, is designed to embody in a single document the
various provisions on which the three Allied Governments have agreed
in principle since the negotiations began with the Rumanians last
April.
The Department, which has just now received this text, will provide
you with comment as soon as its examination of the proposed terms
can be completed.
[Annex]
The British Embassy
to the Department of State
[Washington, September 2,
1944.]
Paraphrase of a Telegram Sent by Moscow to
the Foreign Office, Dated August 31st, 1944
My immediately preceding telegram. Following is text. Begins.
Agreement concerning an Armistice between the Governments of
USSR, United Kingdom and United States of America and the
Government of Roumania.
The Government and High Command of Roumania, recognizing the fact
of Roumania’s defeat in the war against the USSR, United
Kingdom, United States and other United Nations, fully accept
armistice terms presented by the Governments of aforementioned
three Allied powers acting in the interests of all United
Nations.
On the basis of foreign policy the representatives of the
Governments of the USSR, United Kingdom and the United States on
the one hand, and representatives of Government and High Command
of Roumania, on the other provided with the necessary powers,
have signed the following terms, the implementation of which
will take place under control of Soviet High Command,
hereinafter called “Allied (Soviet) High Command”, acting on
behalf of the Allied Powers.
- 1.
- As from . . . . . 1944 Roumania has entirely discontinued
military operations against the USSR on all theatres of war,
has withdrawn from the war against the United Nations, has
broken off relations with Germany and her satellites, has
entered the war and will wage war on the side of the Allied
Powers against Germany and her satellites, for which purpose
she provides not less than twelve Infantry Divisions to be
kept up to strength.
- Military operations on the part of the Roumanian armed
forces against Germany and her satellites will be conducted
under the general leadership of Allied (Soviet) High
Command.
- 2.
- The Government and High Command of Roumania will ensure to
Soviet and other Allied forces facilities for free movement
on Roumanian territory in any direction if required by
military situation, the Roumanian Government and High
Command of Roumania giving such movement every possible
assistance with their own means of communications (and at
their own expense) on land and on water and in the
air.
- 3.
- The State frontier between the USSR and Roumania,
established by Soviet-Roumania agreement of June 28th
1940,8
is restored.
- 4.
- The Government and High Command of Roumania will
immediately hand over all Soviet and Allied prisoners of war
in their hands, as well as interned citizens and citizens
deported to Roumania, to Allied (Soviet) High Command for
return of these persons to their own country.
- From the moment of signing of present terms and until
repatriation Roumanian Government and High Command undertake
to provide at their own expense all Soviet and Allied
prisoners of war, as well as deported and interned citizens
with adequate food, clothing and medical advice, in
accordance with sanitary requirements, as well as with means
of transport for return of all these persons to their own
country.
- 5.
- The Roumanian Government will immediately set free,
irrespective of citizenship [grp. undec.]9
nationality, all persons held in prison on account of their
activities in favour of United Nations or because of their
sympathies with the cause of the United Nations, and will
remove all restrictions imposed by discriminating
legislation.
- 6.
- The Roumanian Government and High Command undertake to
hand over as trophies into the hands of Allied (Soviet) High
Command all war material of Germany and her satellites
located on Roumanian territory, including the vessels of
fleet of Germany and her satellites located in Roumanian
waters.
- 7.
- The Roumanian Government and High Command undertake to
hand over to the Allied (Soviet) High Command all vessels
belonging to the United Nations which are located in
Roumanian ports, no matter at whose disposal these vessels
may be, for use of Allied (Soviet) High Command during
period of abeyance in general interests of Allies, these
vessels ultimately to be returned to their owners.
- The Roumanian Government bear full material responsibility
for any damage or destruction of aforementioned property
until the moment of transfer of this property to Allied
(Soviet) High Command.
- 8.
- The Roumanian Government will in case of need ensure the
use on Roumanian territory of industrial and transportation
enterprises,
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as
well as means of communication, power stations, enterprises
and installations of public utility, warehouses, fuel and
other materials, in accordance with instructions issued time
of armistice by Allied (Soviet) High Command.
- 9.
- Losses caused to Soviet Union by military operations and
occupation of Roumania of Soviet territory will be
indemnified by Roumania to the Soviet Union but, taking into
consideration that Roumania has not merely withdrawn from
the war but has declared war and in fact wages war against
Germany and Hungary, the parties agree that indemnification
of losses will not be made in full but only to extent of
about one-fifth namely to amount of $300 million payable
over six years in commodities (oil products, grain, timber
products, sea-going and river craft, sundry machinery,
etc.).
- 10.
- Roumanian Government undertake within periods indicated by
Allied (Soviet) High Command to return to Soviet Union in
complete good order all valuables and materials removed from
its territory during the war belonging to the state public
or co-operative organizations, enterprises, institutions or
individual citizens, such as factory and works equipment,
locomotives, railway trucks, tractors, motor vehicles,
historic monuments, museum valuables and any other
property.
- 11.
- Roumanian Government undertake to restore pre-war legal
rights of the Allies and their citizens to property located
on Roumanian territory.
- 12.
- Roumania must make regular payments in Roumanian currency
and deliver commodities (fuel, food products, etc.) required
for maintenance and conduct of operations of the Allied
(Soviet) Army operating on or from north Roumania against
the Germans and Hungarians.
- 13.
- Roumanian Government and High Command undertake to
collaborate with Allied (Soviet) High Command in
apprehension of persons accused of war crimes and in their
trial.
- 14.
- Printing importation and distribution in Roumania of
periodical [? and]10 pictorial periodical
literature, presentation of theatre performances and films,
work of wireless stations, post, telegraph and telephone
shall be carried out in agreement with Allied (Soviet) High
Command.
- 15.
- Roumanian civil administration is restored in the whole
area of Roumania separated by not less than 50 to 100
kilometres (depending on geographical conditions) from the
front line, administrative bodies undertaking to carry out
instructions and orders issued by Allied (Soviet) High
Command for the purpose of securing the execution of these
armistice terms.
- 16.
- A record commission will be established which will
undertake regulation of and control over the execution of
the present terms under general directions of the Allied
(Soviet) High Command.
- 17.
- The Allied Governments consider decision of Vienna Award
incorrect (sic) and agree that
Transylvania (whole or greater part) should be returned to
Roumania subject to reconsideration at peace
settlement.
