764.71/279: Telegram
The Minister in Rumania (Gunther) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 7—10:38 p.m.]
509. My 497, September 5, 5 p.m.4 A high official who had been in constant touch with the Transylvanian development has confided to me that Rumania was forced into acceptance of the Axis dictate by dire threats of Axis support to Hungary and subsequent partition of Rumania into zones of influence between Germany and Russia. It was made clear by inference that Germany and Russia were working together in this instance. Further, that Italy had insisted upon “getting something out of all this” which was to have Hungary grateful principally to her.
I am further informed that Hungary no longer desires to proceed on the principle of transfers of population as provided in the agreement since she fears many racial Hungarians would not opt for Hungarian nationality. This change in procedure has German concurrence.
Even more troops are being hurried to the Hungarian boundary.
- Not printed.↩