871.00/8–2445: Telegram
The Acting American Representative in Rumania (Melbourne) to the Secretary of State
[Received 5:10 p.m.]
592. Socialist Party leader, Titel Petrescu, this morning requested meeting at his secretary’s home in order to outline his position and that of his party in present political crisis. At this meeting was accompanied by Mr. Hulick.59
Petrescu reported the tremendous Communist pressure being exerted upon him and Socialist Cabinet Ministers. Stormy sessions with other NDF (National Democratic Front) members had taken place with threats being made against him and other “traitors”. Petrescu said he was standing firm and repeated the formal advice he had given to the King, namely, that the King should request the immediate resignation of Groza Cabinet. He added that he intended at earliest opportunity personally to reassure the King of his party’s entire support for his continued line of action.
At a party executive committee session called yesterday afternoon and which ended at 11 this morning, a resolution was unanimously adopted which Socialist Ministers in the Cabinet were to read at a Cabinet session scheduled for noon today. Mr. Petrescu promised full text of this resolution60 would be transmitted to this Mission and to British. He commented that the declaration would be stopped from publication by local censors but he added that he would welcome its publicity abroad.
Reading from notes, Petrescu said resolution declares Socialists consider it absolutely necessary to adopt Govt formula to be made in complete agreement with the Soviet Union, and US and Great Britain that conforms to Potsdam Declaration and thus assure a new govt that can reestablish diplomatic relations with US and Great [Page 594] Britain, sign a peace treaty, and secure Rumania’s admission into United Nations.
Secondly, Socialists believed Govt should resign immediately in order that Three Powers could find a solution in conformity with the above position.
Lastly, the party protested against the Govt in present grave circumstances for not having convoked until now a Council of Ministers in order to find a solution upon a legal governmental basis.
The Socialist leader in a sincere manner stated his conviction that it was imperative the US and Great Britain should immediately follow their intention to consult with the Soviet Union under the Yalta Declaration by taking prompt and energetic action to relieve the constant local unilateral Soviet pressure, which will increasingly serve to disorganize the opposition front.
Repeated to Moscow as 182.
- Charles E. Hulick, Jr., Foreign Service Officer in the American Mission in Rumania.↩
- Telegram 596, August 24, 11 p.m., from Bucharest gave the text of a statement by the Rumanian Social Democratic Party calling for a government formula which would have the agreement of all three Great Powers (871.00/8–2445).↩