770.00/604: Telegram
The Minister in Bulgaria (Atherton) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 24—9:06 a.m.]
11. The Prime Minister received me shortly after the details of the Rumanian-German accord67 had been confirmed here.
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[Page 100]The Prime Minister said that he had received the British and French Ambassadors to Turkey and in reply to their asseverations regarding assistance to Bulgaria he had informed them that it was now too late and that repeated speeches and diplomatic activity towards the formation of a democratic bloc was merely accelerating Hitler’s preparations for self-sufficiency in case of war. The Prime Minister said very confidentially he was struck by how little either the French or British Ambassador understood the questions of Southeastern Europe and he intimated his discussions with the French and British representatives in Sofia had been equally dissappointing. (I know this has been likewise the view of my Belgian colleague who has had long experience here.)
The Prime Minister observed that he probably was not favorably viewed in Germany which I understand results from his attitude at the time of Neurath’s visit to Sofia (reported before my arrival in the Legation’s despatch 393, June 12, 193769) and to the fact that he has consistently maintained an independent Bulgarian policy in the face of persistent opposition. His attitude was one of utter discouragement even though his Government may be able to carry on.