874.00/8–2245: Telegram
The United States Representative in Bulgaria (Barnes) to the Secretary of State
[Received 7 p.m.]
465. I received a message from the Regents this a.m. that yesterday they had been informed by Prime Minister Georgiev that the Government persists in its plans to hold “elections” on August 26; hence that there was no point in my meeting again with the Regents this a.m. (please [see] my 461, August 21). This declaration by the Prime Minister preceded receipt by him of the British note (sec my 464, August 22). However, there is no reason to believe that at this late date the British note will materially change matters. Therefore Houstoun-Boswall and I have asked Generals Oxley and Crane to inquire of General Biryusov what steps can be taken in matter by the Allied Control Commission. They have an appointment with [Page 303] the General at 6 this afternoon. They will make following oral statement to him:
“We have come by virtue of the two notes on the present electoral situation in Bulgaria which our respective Governments have passed to Bulgarian Government and with which we have supplied you copies. The situation appears to us to have reached an impasse. This is an important matter. You have always said that you were prepared to discuss anything with us and it is in the spirit of this invitation and of Russian, American and British friendship that we have come to see you today. It appears to us that if a solution agreeable to the three Governments could be reached locally it would save everybody a great deal of trouble and enhance your already great prestige. Therefore we suggest for your consideration that you summon as early as possible a conference in presence of both of us and such advisers as we may wish to bring, of the Prime Minister, party leaders and leaders of the opposition with a view to producing a formula for future procedure which will be acceptable to all. We do not wish to discuss this matter any further with you today but leave it to you in your capacity as Deputy Chairman of the Allied Control Commission to let us know your views if possible by tomorrow.”
We are all most anxious to avoid possibility that later Russians may contend that US and UK representatives on Allied Control Commission did not solicit General Biryusov’s assistance. It is obvious to us that it is he who is supporting the Government in their determination to hold “elections” and therefore we do not anticipate any help for response to appeal that Generals Oxley and Crane will address to him.
Repeated Moscow as 238.