874.00/838: Telegram
The Consul General at Istanbul (Berry) to the Secretary of State
[Received 8:45 p.m.]
339. Bulgarian officials in Turkey believe Bagryanov’s speech represents a complete change in Bulgarian policy. This conviction is based mainly on the following facts: The speech does not mention Hitler, Germany, an Axis victory, the New Order or Tsar Boris and his testament. It is also the first official statement of Bulgarian policy broadcast in Russian translation as well as in French and German.
Policies of preceding Governments are sharply criticised in the speech as having seriously affected the public welfare. The war is declared to have gone beyond the possibilities of the Bul[garian Government to c]ope with its problems and demands.
Instead of using the term “New Order” as all his recent predecessors have done, Bagryanov employs the term “New World” in which he says Bulgaria must find her place. He indicates also that Bulgaria must find a way to live without being compelled to make further heavy sacrifices for she has made sacrifices enough in the past.
The most important statement in the speech is “Our fate must be in our own hands”. Evidently this means that the new Government does not expect the country to be saved by a German victory.
Thus the speech, as a declaration of policy, is interpreted to mean that henceforth Bulgaria will steer her own course according to her own interests.
If, as thus interpreted, the speech is evidence that the Bulgarian Government is now publicly taking the first sincere step to break away from the German alliance and its consequences, it would seem to be in the interest of the United Nations to give the new Government time to prove this intention.
Further weakening of Governmental authority in Bulgaria may result in internal confusion and anarchy on a dangerous scale.
Repeated to Amrep Algiers for Murphy as my No. 22 and true reading sent to MacVeagh in Cairo.