874.00/2–2245: Telegram
The United States Representative in Bulgaria ( Barnes ) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 22—3:55 p.m.]
100. In connection with second paragraph of my telegram No. 78, February 10, 3 p.m., I believe the Department will be interested to know that in a written reply from General Biryusov to a request made by General Crane for a statement on the fulfillment of the Bulgarian armistice terms to date, the following passage appears:
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has officially announced that all the criminals responsible for the war and the fascist regime have been arrested. Among them were the former members of the Regency council, the Royal advisers, the Minister’s Royal Cabinets from 1940, deputies of the National Assembly as well as the leaders and members of fascist organizations. The trials took place in Sofia resulting in decisions that are well known to you. At the present time trials are being held in numerous districts and regions.”
It would seem obvious from this that the Russians view the people’s tribunals as directly connected with article 6 of the Armistice Convention (article 6, and not article 7 as stated in my 78, is the correct reference).
Repeated to Moscow as 34 and to AmPolAd as 43.