874.00/3–1445: Telegram
The United States Representative in Bulgaria (Barnes) to the Secretary of State
[Received 2:30 p.m.]
135. It has just come to my attention that G. M. Dimitrov, recently dismissed on orders of General Biryusov from the post of Secretary General of Agrarian Party, was violently attacked in a speech before Communist Party Congress by Secretary General of that party. Dimitrov was charged with the crimes of disloyalty and opposition to the Fatherland Front and with being in relation with Fascist elements. There is every reason to bear [fear?] that this attack was based on knowledge that the decree law for defense of the people’s authority (see my 124 of March 9, 6 p.m.) would shortly be promulgated. My British colleague has told me in strict confidence that he will talk to the Minister for Foreign Affairs about his apparent plot against Dimitrov today or tomorrow. Dimitrov continues to be the most popular figure with the general run of Agrarian Party voters. Since his dismissal, illness has kept him confined to his home. Even if he were not ill, common sense would impose similar precautions from other dangers even more fatal than disease. The treatment of Dimitrov by Russians and by Bulgarian Communists is on a par as a revelation of present day democratic processes in Bulgaria with the decree “in defense of the people’s authority”.
Repeated to Moscow as 58 and AmPolAd as 66.