871.001 Mihai/11–2847: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Douglas) to the Acting Secretary of State
6247. On November 25 I again saw the King of Rumania and his mother. I repeated to the King my previous statements (Embtel 6153, November 22) that it would be impracticable to issue proclamation to the Rumanian people from the US, firstly because the Rumanian Government would undoubtedly learn of his departure for the US and in all likelihood take immediate action re his personal and official status, and secondly that US Government would not deem it advisable for US soil to be used for issuance of a proclamation. I said again that the only proper and effective locale for him to take such action would be in Europe.
In this general connection, King Michael remarked to Embassy officer that he “sensed” that British Government does not wish him to issue a proclamation here, although he added, he had not made a direct approach. He remarked, incidentally that in his conversation with Bevin he had found latter unhelpful as no advice was offered and little comment made on the expose that he, the King, had made to the Foreign Secretary.1
I told Michael that we are well aware of and appreciate the services he has performed during the past 2 or 3 years. I said we felt that he would serve no useful purpose in returning, because of the unconcealed Communist domination of his country and the fact that in recent months his position has been damaged and his power curtailed. I said, however, that we could not urge him [not?] to return and that he would realize that he alone must make the final decision.
The King also asked me whether, if he went back and action was taken against him, we could help him get out and he suggested asylum in the Legation. I said that I did not know what instructions had been sent to US Legation Bucharest in this regard, but I pointed out the geographical location of Rumania and seriously questioned whether we could do anything effective to get him out of the country.
I learned last night that the King planned to leave London today en route to Lausanne and that he had made up his mind to return to Rumania on December 2. Our informant was M. Caranfil,2 the Rumanian who is close to the King (see Paris’ 4874, November 14 to Department3), [Page 512] who told us that the King was thoroughly discouraged by his cool reception in British official headquarters and also that given to his overtures to us. I felt that this attitude on his part might lead him at some time, should he decide to return to Rumania, to place the responsibility upon us for his return and any untoward events that might possibly follow. Accordingly, after discussing the matter with Bohlen,4 I called upon him again this morning.
I repeated once more to him our appreciation of the services that he had rendered, our grave doubt that he could continue to serve any useful purpose were he to return, but that we could not urge him either to return or to remain away. I did, however, tell him that as a matter of personal advice he should play for time, delay returning for a reasonable period under some plausible pretext, and in the meantime try to obtain a clarification of the situation as it relates to him in his own country.
He replied that he thought this good advice, that it confirmed a conclusion to which he had just this morning arrived and that he would probably send back to Rumania the Marshal of the Court or one of the important members of his suite who would rejoin him in a week or 10 days in Switzerland. He plans to leave by boat for Belgium and by train, avoiding France, for Switzerland.
He asked whether, if developments warranted, he might call on our Minister at Berne. I replied that I thought this might be arranged. Please advise.5
- In telegram 6300, December 3, from London, not printed, the Ambassador reported having been informed by a British Foreign Office official that King Mihai had tried to get Foreign Secretary Bevin to say whether he should or should not return to Rumania, but all higher officials in the Foreign Office were agreed that the decision had to be left to Mihai (871.001 Mihai/12–347).↩
- A former Minister in the Rumanian Government.↩
- Not printed.↩
- Charles E. Bohlen, Counselor of the Department of State and a member of the United States Delegation to the London session of the Council of Foreign Ministers.↩
- Telegram 1674, December 15,
to Bern, not printed, instructed that King Mihai, who was sojourning
in Switzerland, be informed that the United States still had serious
doubts that the King’s return to Rumania would serve any useful
purpose but was unable to make any further suggestions (871.001
Mihai/12–1547). Telegram 1274, December 17, from Bern, not printed,
reported that the King had responded to the message by stating that
in the absence of advice from the United States, he would leave for
Rumania the following day (871.001 Mihai/12–1747).
On December 30, 1947, following his return to Rumania, King Mihai abdicated. He left Rumania on January 3, 1948.
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