Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1944, Europe, Volume IV

740.0011 EW 1939/9–1444: Telegram

The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Harriman) to the Secretary of State

Moscow, September 14, 1944—7 p.m.
[Received September 15—4:25 a.m.]

3492. ReDeptel 2138, September 5, 9 p.m.²⁶ On September 13 I handed to Mr. Patrascanu²⁷ a letter, addressed to the Rumanian Armistice Delegation, [of] which the following is a paraphrase:

“I desire to inform you that my Government expects the Government of Rumania immediately to take steps for breaking all relations with Japan and to cause all representatives of Japan as well as private Japanese nationals without delay to leave Rumanian territory. The presence in Rumania of any Japanese representatives or private Japanese nationals beyond the reasonable minimum time necessary to bring about their departure from Rumania will be considered by my Government as incompatible with the state of suspension of hostilities between Rumania and the United States.”

The British Ambassador²⁸ sent a similar letter.

The British Ambassador and I had previously informed the Rumanian delegation of the position of our Governments in this matter. Prince Stirbey²⁹ informed me orally that both the delegation and the Government in Bucharest were somewhat concerned that the Russians might be annoyed at their breaking relations with Japan. I accordingly handed the letter quoted above to Mr. Patrascanu in the presence of Mr. Molotov in order to show him that Mr. Molotov was informed of its contents and did not disapprove.

I have now received a letter dated September 14 from Mr. Patrascanu of which the following is a paraphrase translation:

“I have received the letter which Your Excellency addressed to me on September 13, 1944 with regard to the desire of the United States Government to see Rumania break diplomatic relations with Japan. I hasten to inform you that I did not fail to transmit your letter to Bucharest and that if before my departure I do not receive a reply, I will intervene personally with my Government upon my arrival.”³⁰

Harriman

26. Ante, p. 221.
27. Lucretiu Patrascanu, Rumanian Minister of State and Minister of Justice, headed the Rumanian armistice delegation to Moscow.
28. Sir Archibald J. K. Clark Kerr.
29. Prince Barbu Stirbey was a member of the Rumanian armistice delegation at Moscow.
30. Rupture of diplomatic relations between Rumania and Japan took place as of October 31 and was announced in the Bucharest press of November 2 (740.0011 PW1939/11–2544).