Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, The Conference of Berlin (The Potsdam Conference), 1945, Volume I

740.00119 Control (Rumania)/7–845: Telegram

No. 306
The Acting Representative in Rumania (Melbourne) to the Acting Secretary of State ¹

secret

Bucharest, July 8, 1945—8 p.m.

457. Yesterday the King expressed to me his bewilderment in being awarded the Soviet Order of Victory by Marshal Stalin and in being given two airplanes by the Russians since his past experience has been that the Russians have most realistic motives for their actions (my 451, July 4²). (Rptd Moscow as 122) He plainly distrusts these sudden gestures of amiability.

Rumors have spread that the permission to grant Rumania 16 army divisions (my 449, July 3³) was accompanied by the signature of a Rumanian-Soviet military pact but the King stated that he had been told that this was not the case.

At present in common with the bulk of Rumanians the King expressed hopes that the impending Potsdam conference would give a reasonable interpretation to the Yalta declaration and secure a truly representative govt for Rumania.

Melbourne

1. The gist of this message was included in telegram No. 11 of July 10 from Grew to Byrnes (file No. 740.00119 Potsdam/7–1045).
2. Not printed.
3. Not printed.