Office of the Historian

740.00119 European War/8–3044: Telegram

The Consul General at Istanbul (Berry) to the Secretary of State

Istanbul, August 30, 1944—11 p.m.
[Received August 30—3:30 p.m.]

508R110. Reference my telegram 506, August 30, 10 a.m. Following is additional information given by Moshanov:

1.
German Minister to Sofia, Nazi Gauleiter Beckerle, returned from Berlin August 27. He had left Bulgaria in great huff, but returned more calm. He said merely that Bulgarians had taken a misstep of which they would repent.
2.
German troops withdrawing from Bulgaria are moving into Macedonia. This is causing disquiet in Sofia, but before Bulgarians can fight Germany over Macedonia they must have guarantee that they will be awarded their “Transylvania”. German movements indicate they mean to defend Salonica and Vardar and Morava valleys.
3.
Greatest panic yet in Sofia occurred on day of Rumanian surrender. Air raid alarm was taken as indication that Allies and Rumanians were already invading Bulgaria. Raid, however, was on Rumania and destroyed Ruse Giurgiu ferry at Giurgiu.
4.
Germans fleeing in panic from Rumania have arrived at Vran. They destroyed their transport and surrendered arms willingly. Bulgarians have only two companies in the area.
5.
Signs are increasing that Russia is playing double game in Bulgaria. Moscow announcement of acceptance by Russia of Bulgarian declaration of neutrality was received by Bulgarian radio and [Page 382] published. Thereupon, Soviet Legation informed Communists that story was all lies. Kirsanov, Soviet Chargé in Sofia, has left for Moscow, leaving only Second Secretary who claims to know nothing of Russia’s intentions of which Bulgarian Government is frantic for information. Government might withstand Russian appearance on Bulgaria’s frontiers, but Russian crossing of frontiers would likely produce Communist Government. Russians have asked why Bulgarians did not ask for peace through Moscow “for better terms.” Bulgarians replied that they were not at war with Russia and acted accordingly.
6.
Kisseloff pleads for some word from Washington to give his Government. He asserts delegates have been here since August 23 in response to American suggestion, but nothing official has yet been communicated to them, not even the place of the conference. Time, he says, is of the essence.

Repeated to AmEmBalk as my 11. Please repeat to Murphy.

Berry