740.0011 E. W./2–2745: Telegram

The United States Representative in Bulgaria ( Barnes ) to the Secretary of State

106. Re my telegram 94, February 21 [20], 3 p.m.78 Since the appearance in the local press of the Crimean declarations79 hardly a day has passed that some prominent Bulgarian, frequently a member of the Government or a leading military figure, has not asked me one or more of the following questions[:]

1.
Does the US really intend to make its influence felt in this part of the world and, in particular, will it actively seek to assure a free expression of Bulgarian opinion in the forthcoming elections? This question is invariably posed in the form of an expression of hope that henceforth we will make our influence felt in Bulgaria and the rest of the Balkans.
2.
Was the subject of Bulgarian co-belligerency discussed at Yalta and why is it that the Anglo-Saxon powers appear so churlish with respect to Bulgaria in comparison with Russia’s professed friendly interest in the country, thus surrendering to Russia the “key to the Balkans”, which most Bulgarians consider their country to be in view of its geographic position and the vitality and tenacity of its population?
3.
What is the formula to be applied in determining which states will be and which states will not be invited to the San Francisco Conference?80

[Page 164]

At first thought it may appear easy to dispose of these questions merely by reference to Bulgaria’s past record and the fact of her location in an area of great interest to Russia. Considerations of the future, however, argue against such a cursory dismissal of these questions, which are asked in all sincerity by prominent people deeply preoccupied over the future of their country and who have risked much to impose upon Bulgarian policy [upon Bulgaria a policy?] in line with the war aims of the Allied Powers. In any event, it would prove most helpful to this mission if the Department could supply it with information on these points.

Repeated to AmPolAd as 46 and Moscow as 38.

Barnes
  1. Not printed.
  2. The communiqué signed February 11 at Yalta was released to the press on February 12; for text, see Conferences at Malta and Yalta, p. 968.
  3. See telegram Argonaut 147, February 11, from Secretary of State Stettinius at Yalta to Acting Secretary of State Grew, ibid., p. 943. For documentation on the United Nations Conference on International Organization, held at San Francisco, April 25–June 26, see vol. i, pp. 1 ff.