874.00/8–2345: Telegram
The United States Representative in Bulgaria (Barnes) to the Secretary of State
[Received 3:15 p.m.]
469. Re my 467, Aug 22. I believe if Dept makes very strong representations immediately Moscow, there is possibility Aug 26 elections may be postponed. US–UK action to date is beginning to have effect (see my 466, Aug 22); also widely advertised address of Georgi Dimitrov to be read at largest mass meeting election campaign at 7 p.m. last night was replaced after reader was already at the microphone by speech of Dimitrov’s brother-in-law who said that he was sure that if Dimitrov were here he would have much to say similar to what he (the brother-in-law) was saying. Substitution was explained on technical grounds by confused voice over the microphone. Whether speaker was expressing views of Dimitrov or not, last minute announcement [Page 306] that Dimitrov’s speech would not be read greatly impressed large open air audience and today all Sofia is talking about the change. I am convinced visits of Generals Crane and Oxley to Biryusov turned the trick.
Rptd Moscow as 242.