Department of Defense Files: Telegram
The Chief of the United States Military Representation on the Allied Control Commission for Rumania (Schuyler) to the War Department
M 460. At my urgent request, Vinogradov called a meeting yesterday of the three chief representatives, ACC, to discuss present critical political situation in Rumania.
AVM Stevenson37 presented a written protest on behalf of British Government against recent closing by ACC of a number of newspapers representing national peasant and liberal parties.
He pointed out that in many cases liaisons [reasons?] given did not appear to justify such harsh action, with the result that ACC was placed in position of appearing to support FND38 parties as opposed to historic parties.
He urged early authorization for reopening of Viitorul, National Liberal paper recently closed, under allocation of available raw paper supply so as to provide corresponding amounts to newspapers representing each of the various political parties.
Vinogradov replied he would study the problem and give a full [Page 473] answer later. For details on Viitorul closing see my M–459 dated 21st February.39
As meeting progressed, reports began to arrive of actual armed conflict between FND and historic party adherents at Malaza factory, Bucharest.
(See my message M 457 dated 21st February) .39
Vinogradov expressed himself as opposed to civil war at all costs. He also indicated necessity under Yalta agreements for continuation of a coalition government. He said more frequent and more intimate contacts between the three chief representatives were urgently needed, and he called on us for advice and assistance.
He expressed particular pleasure at my recent suggestions for improvement of liaison between US and Russian section (see my M–445 dated 19th February39) and said they would be adopted at once.
I pointed out my serious concern over entire situation and called attention to fact that in the provinces various groups representing political parties had attempted by force to take over agencies of the national government.
I expressed fear that such movements might spread rapidly with resulting serious interference with Rumania’s war effort.
I urged necessity for strong action by the Allied Control Commission in
an effort to avoid civil war and insure political stability in the
country. Specifically, I recommended that the ACC issue a public
statement to the following effect:40
Stevenson stated that as British Commissioner he supported in full all my statements and recommendations.
Vinogradov agreed to consider the matter carefully and to furnish a specific answer to my recommendations.
While indicating much pleasure over Vinogradov’s plans for closer liaison, nevertheless on basis of past experience I am by no means certain that the full measure of cooperation desired by this delegation will be achieved.
My stenographer was present throughout interview and took shorthand notes of all conversations. Full report follows by mail.42
- Air Vice Marshal Donald Stevenson, British High Commissioner in Rumania.↩
- National Democratic Front, formed at the end of 1944 and composed of the Communist Party, the Social Democratic Party, the Patriotic Union, the United Trade Unions, the Ploughmen’s Front, the Hungarian Popular Union, and other “left-wing” organizations.↩
- Not printed.↩
- Not printed.↩
- Not printed.↩
- Telegram 89, February 24, 9 p.m., to Bucharest, expressed Department’s approval of the proposal made by General Schuyler to General Vinogradov and approved Representative Berry’s agreement to General Schuyler’s taking that step (740.00119 Control (Rumania)/2–2145).↩
- The Minutes of the Joint Meeting of Senior Representatives of the Allied Control Commission for Rumania on February 21, 1945, were transmitted to the Department in despatch 132, February 22, 1945, from Bucharest; neither printed.↩