871.00/8–1445: Telegram
The Acting American Representative in Rumania (Melbourne) to the Secretary of State
[Received 9:30 p.m.]
553. (Deptel 416 of August 11 and mytel 551 of August 14.28 At my interview today with the King I informed him of the Department’s general attitude toward Rumania. In answers to questions he was [Page 567] made acquainted with the Dept’s confirmed reserve toward the Groza govt in view of its unrepresentative character. He was further told that the Potsdam agreement provided that the peace treaty would be concluded with a “recognized democratic government” and that the Department did not contemplate establishing diplomatic relations with Rumania at this time. Reference was made to the Dept’s expressed political wishes for Rumania as given in Deptel 90 of Feb 24 and significant portions of the President’s speech of August 9 were invoked to show the unchanged nature of the American position.
I told the King that my Government hoped, through purely Rumanian efforts, to see a more representative regime established here with which it could resume diplomatic relations. With the timing and method of any possible efforts completely in Rumanian hands, it was hoped that any eventual changes would include all important democratic parties or those issuing from free elections. Only if necessary, would the Dept wish the three Allied Governments to assist as provided in the Yalta Declaration.
The King expressed gratification at the American position and stated his personal intention to follow constitutional lines if and when responsible Rumanian political forces united in urging and formulating a more representative regime. He further asked me to present the American views to the responsible opposition leaders, that they might request audiences of him to discuss eventual Rumanian tactics. This request thus coincides with the fact that these leaders have been in virtual daily contact with this mission for further clarification of the Potsdam Declaration and the President’s speech.
Tonight I expect to see Mr. Julius Maniu and tomorrow Dinu Bratianu and Titel Petrescu, as well as Prince Stirbey, whom the King wishes to know the American attitude.
If the Rumanians wish to institute changes in the present regime to one comprising all important democratic parties, I consider it may be expedient to inform a responsible Communist representative, such as Lucretiu Patrascanu, at an early date of the Department’s attitude as an elaboration of the President’s speech, to state that the American Government does not contemplate renewing diplomatic relations with the present regime and to emphasize that the peace treaty will be signed with a “recognized democratic government”.
It should be mentioned that I am maintaining close liaison with General Schuyler on developments, as well as with the British Mission.
Rptd to Moscow as 153.
- Latter not printed; it outlined the problems in bringing about a change in the Rumanian Government, as viewed by responsible Rumanian leaders (871.00/8–1445).↩