740.00119 Control (Rumania)/4–2145: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the American Representative in Rumania (Berry)
197. President Roosevelt received through OSS channels a personal letter from King Mihai dated January 24, 1945.66 The letter referred to the King’s opposition to Rumania’s participation in the war against the United Nations and to his bringing his country “back on the right way” on August 23, and mentioned the King’s serious anxiety over Rumania’s future, “having observed the attitude of various representatives of the USSR in Rumania”. Enclosed with the letter was a memorandum,67 which is a bill of particulars against the Soviet policies and actions in Rumania (reduction of the Rumanian army, holding of Rumanian war prisoners, denial of cobelligerency status, refusal to turn over Northern Transylvania, deportation of Bessarabians, deportation of Germans, support of Rumanian Communists, etc.).
It is not deemed advisable to make a formal reply to the King’s letter, particularly in view of the tone and contents of the accompanying memorandum, at a time when we are seeking to reach a common ground with the Soviet Government in dealing with the Rumanian situation. We do not wish, however, by ignoring the King’s letter, to strengthen any impression he may have that in the United States there is no understanding of the Rumanian problem. You are accordingly authorized to say to the King that you have been directed to inform him that President Roosevelt received his letter, and that this government is in sympathy with the desire of Rumania to regain its place among the peace-loving independent nations of the world. You should avoid any expression of views on the memorandum, merely saying, if the question is raised, that the document has been referred to the Department for study.