871.6363/11–244: Telegram
The Chargé in the United Kingdom (Gallman) to the Secretary of State
[Received 9:10 p.m.]
9501. A Foreign Office official reiterated the British desire for American representatives to enter Rumania as soon as possible. The [Page 253] British Embassy at Washington has been informed of the following situation:
The Russians have been working with all possible speed, even at night, to remove the oil well equipment of Astra Romana, Stela Romana and another oil company in which both British and American companies are interested. This equipment is being taken to Russia. The British are extremely perturbed at this Soviet activity because it will mean the entire stopping of oil extraction from the wells. They would like to see the British position on the Allied Control Commission reinforced by American participation so that such activities on the part of the Russians can be stopped.
The official expressed the same views about the urgency of sending American representatives to Bulgaria.47 British and Russian representatives, in four parties, [are] en route to Thrace to see that the Bulgarians in their evacuation from Greece have not taken with them various equipment, cattle and other movable goods; likewise these parties will see exactly what looted movable goods have been returned to Greece by Bulgaria under the terms of the armistice.48
- Cf. circular telegram of November 8, 2 p.m., vol. iii, p. 483.↩
- For American report, see telegram 1442, November 22, 10 a.m., from Caserta, ibid., p. 489.↩