124.663/6–2350: Telegram
The Chargé in Romania ( Williams ) to the Secretary of State
471. Legtel 464 June 20.1 With courier visa impasse gravely threatening Legation’s communications and minimum effectiveness we assume Department is again reviewing over-all question maintaining relations with Rumania.
In absence information Department’s current intentions Legation submits following observations:
It is vital to whole question to determine whether Rumanian Government has actually decided force break with US (see Legtel 356 May 182). If Rumanian Government is determined to break it will prefer do so by slow humiliating attrition piling isolation upon insult until we are forced to leave Rumania with our prestige badly smattered. This process may be long, drawn out to give Rumanians maximum opportunity to drag down US reputation.
With this in view we may put question to test by taking initiative and seizing opportunity (unless situation unexpectedly mends) to warn Rumanians implicitly we must suspend relations unless we promptly get visas for couriers and replacements including Military Attaché personnel. Rumanians could be expected to make concessions of whatever value only if they desire maintain relations. If concessions are made, our effectiveness will be at least temporarily reinforced. If refused, as is quite likely, we may save ourselves from compounded humiliation by thwarting Rumanian design to submit us to slow strangulation. In this case, onus of break would be on Rumanians because of their refusal of courier visas, a minimum requirement for diplomatic relations.
In submitting above considerations we recognize basic desirability maintaining relations in those countries to which it will be hard to return once we leave but Legation also feels it likely Rumanians are determined to break and will do so on their own slow death terms unless we take initiative.