511.66/3–250: Telegram
The Minister in Romania ( Schoenfeld ) to the Secretary of State
134. [Grigore] Preoteasa, Deputy Minister Foreign Affairs sent me word this morning inviting me to call at 5:30 this afternoon.
When I did so, he told me he desired to inform me Rumanian Government asked the discontinuance US Information Office. It did not consider its activities normal diplomatic function.
I inquired whether Rumanian Government intended to send me a written communication. He indicated it did not. It considered his action as official notification.
I inquired whether he wished to make any further reservations. He indicated this was all. Rumanian Government asked that office cease its activities as of time of notification.
I said I should advise my government Rumanian Government desired cessation of USIS activities (he corrected use of word “desired” and said “demanded”) and I added I assumed I might convey to him any response my government might desire to make.
Preoteasa who was nervous and ill at ease made no reference to any improper activities on the part of any one personally and notwithstanding my effort to draw him out, confined himself strictly to his general statement.
British Minister Roberts,2 who saw Preoteasa at six o’clock tells me similar notification was made to him re British press office.3
- Walter St. C. H. Roberts, British Minister in Romania.↩
- Telegram 137, March 3, from Bucharest, not printed, reported that the United States Information Service had that day suspended library facilities, film showings, and musical programs for the Romanian public in order to avoid possible incidents. The British press office had taken similar action. It was feared that Romanian secret policemen stationed outside these facilities would arrest any Romanian citizens who might enter (511.66/3–350).↩