Editorial Note
On December 28, 1947, in connection with the nationalization of all Bulgarian mining and industrial enterprises, Bulgarian authorities seized control of the Petrole Company, a petroleum products distribution company under American management and of substantial American ownership. On December 28, 29, and 31, Minister Heath protested, both orally and in writing, to the Bulgarian Foreign Minister and other officers of the Foreign Ministry regarding the seizure of the Petrole Company and the arrest of its key employees. Documentation on these protests are included in files 874.5034 and 874.6363 in the Department of State’s Central Files.