871.00/8–2145: Telegram
The Acting American Representative in Rumania (Melbourne) to the Secretary of State
[Received 1:35 a.m.]
568. My telegram 567 of August 20. The text of the King’s note invoking the Yalta Declaration is contained in General Schuyler’s telegram No. M–1454.41 The General also will report on details of the joint meeting with the King. However, there are aspects of the meeting that I deem politically advisable to report.
The King stated that the Soviet officials and Groza had emphasized the American and British position should not be taken seriously because no written communications had been received specifically outlining their attitude. The argument apparently had some effect upon [Page 576] the King, although not deterring him from his action. Thus the Department may wish to issue some public statement upon its attitude toward the Groza regime or instruct me or General Schuyler to deliver a specific note to the King or to Soviet officials here. Such a public statement would have an immense country-wide morale effect.
As outlined in my telegram 551 of August 1442 on receipt of the Department’s instructions it is impossible for a true report of the King’s note to be publicized through the Rumanian press or radio because of censorship. Consequently, the Department may wish to combine an official statement of its attitude toward, the Groza regime and announce the text of the King’s note in a single release.
The King said General Susaikov and political adviser Pavlov belittled the importance of the London peace treaty43 in his interview with them. They mentioned that he could sign treaties with all of his neighbors. As the King frankly said “they did not want me to sign peace treaties with the Anglo-Americans”. This Soviet position would be consistent with the arguments advanced by Communist leader Patrascanu and Premier Groza (my telegrams 561 and 563 of August 18 and August 1944).
The King is plagued with the question of official association with the Government. He had previously accepted a Russian invitation to be present tomorrow at the award of Soviet decorations to certain Rumanian generals to which the Government also had been invited. The Russians stated today it would be a personal insult if he did not appear. Meanwhile the King’s advisors were concerned over its effect in weakening the King’s constitutional action. Tonight Savel Radulescu told General Schuyler and myself that the King would risk embarrassment and attend to avoid offending the Russians, but that he would react at the lunch if any toasts were proposed to the Government. The King intends to inform political leaders of his action to avoid misunderstanding.
General Schuyler and I have been advised the King has cancelled his participation in the August 23 celebration and will probably leave tomorrow for Sinaia.
The practical problem of signing the simplest administrative decrees has arisen, such as payments to civil and army employees. Unless advised otherwise by the Allied Control Commission or the Three Powers, he intends to avoid a breakdown in the country’s basic administration by signing minor decrees. Rumanians compare this situation [Page 577] to the King’s signature of such decrees prepared by the Antonescu regime for several weeks after the coup d’état.
A possibility not unforeseen in political circles is that Groza actually may resign. This would clear the way for the King to proceed to the next constitutional step, namely that of consultations to form a new government, but he would not ask the Three Powers to suspend action on his appeal while he made efforts to form a government of all major political elements.
Sent Department; repeated Moscow as 164.
- Supra. ↩
- Not printed, but see footnote 28, p. 566.↩
- The thought here is presumably the belief that a peace treaty with Rumania would eventuate from the discussions to be held at the meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers in London.↩
- Neither printed. With regard to telegram 561, see footnote 39, p. 574. Telegram 563, August 19, reported, inter alia, on a meeting between the King and Prime Minister Groza (871.00/8–1945).↩