740.00119 E.W./8–2444: Telegram
The Consul General at Istanbul (Berry) to the Secretary of State
[Received 3:15 p.m.]
491. Reference my telegram No. 489R101 of August 23, 8 p.m. Kisseloff, vice president of Bulgarian Union of Industrialists, is a prominent cotton manufacturer. He has represented his Government on commercial missions to Russia in 1940 as well as to Germany and Italy. He speaks Bulgarian, French and Italian.
Moshanov is a politician, formerly President of the Sobranje. He visited London in 1939, was received by British King and President of Parliament, knows British Ambassador in Ankara personally. He is reported to speak Bulgarian and French.
Kisseloff emphasizes necessity for speedy action, danger of German reaction to direction now openly taken by Bulgarian Government following speeches of Bagryanov on August 17 (see my telegram No. 484R100, August 1818) and Draganov on August 22 (see my next following telegram19). Saying “complications in Balkans are not excluded”, Kisseloff asserts Bagryanov has exposed himself and Bulgaria to great political and physical danger; German forces in Bulgaria are still not inconsiderable though main offensive forces have been withdrawn.
Bulgaria might expect its best offer from Russia but prefers at some sacrifice to assure her future status as free democratic state in coming to agreement with three principal Allies. Success of this will depend largely on Allied terms as harsh terms may cause Bulgarians to go over en masse to Russia, carrying Government with them.
Finally he said that in making the first moves in accordance with advice tendered them to get out of the war Bulgarian Government is counting on American disinterestedness in Balkan politics and great national idealism for fairest possible understanding of Bulgarian position.