871.01/12–1244: Telegram
The American Representative in Rumania (Berry) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 14—12:10 a.m.]
58. Air Vice Marshal Stevenson and Le Rougetel have changed their point of view from that reported in my telegram 42, November 30, 6 p.m.89 They feel that the formation of the new Rumanian Government was a triumph for the conservative forces of the country, therefore that the danger of the Soviets communizing Rumania is now past.
The AVM is still convinced that Vishinsky came here to do the same type job that he did in the Baltic States. But when Vishinsky discovered that conditions were different the AVM believed that Moscow ordered what he described as “a Russian back-down”.
It seems to me the British here were unduly pessimistic a fortnight ago about the situation in Rumania. When the full measure of their pessimisim was found unjustified they swung equally violently to optimism. Extreme pessimism is ruled out by the lack of substantial evidence that the Soviets are planning a change in the Rumanian state. Extreme optimism is unwarranted as all of the basic elements for a clash of interests which were present at the beginning of the month are equally present today.
Accordingly I have not changed my basic opinion as reported in my telegram 42 but I believe that the surface tension has been eased by the departure of Vishinsky and the formation of a new political government.
Repeated to Moscow.
- Not printed.↩