Office of the Historian

871.00/8–1745: Telegram

The Acting American Representative in Rumania (Melbourne) to the Secretary of State

Bucharest, August 17, 1945—7 p.m.
[Received 11:55 p.m.]

557. Thus far I have informed the King and his two principal constitutional advisors, Visoianu and Prince Stirbey, as well as Messrs. Maniu, Bratianu and Petrescu, of the tenor of the Department’s telegram 416 of August 11, since these political forces have specifically inquired concerning the American attitude toward the Groza regime. The Rumanian Communists have not addressed any inquiry to learn personally the American views. (See my telegram 556 of August 16.)35

During a normal meeting today with the Deputy of the Soviet political representative upon an urgent Department matter to sequester all official Japanese archives and property (re Department’s telegraphic circular of August 14, 8 p.m.36) in the course of a friendly conversation he mentioned rumors that “reactionary parties” were circulating to the effect that America did not intend to recognize the Groza regime. I took the occasion to say that I had received information that the American Government did not intend to renew diplomatic relations at present with Rumania in view of the regime, which it considered unrepresentative, but that I felt a peace treaty finally would be concluded by the Three Powers with a recognized Democratic government in Rumania. In the course of an administrative business interview with the secretary general of the Foreign Office, I gave the outline of the Department’s attitude toward the Groza regime.

[Page 571]

Thus, all important local elements have learned of the American position within the varying prescribed limits of the Department’s instruction.

Repeated to Moscow as 156.

Melbourne
  1. Not printed; it reported, inter alia, that Prince Stirbey had informed Melbourne that the Rumanian Communist leadership had been unable to send a representative to hear the American position regarding the Groza regime because Moscow had not given the necessary approval (871.00/8–1645).↩
  2. Printed in vol. vi , section under Japan entitled “Surrender of Japan …”, Part I.↩