874.00/6–1445: Telegram
The United States Representative in Bulgaria (Barnes) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 14—3:12 p.m.]
315. The following is a careful translation of a statement appearing in the Sofia press of this morning entitled “Declaration by the Office of the National Militia concerning Mara Racheva”:
“With regard to untrue communiqués in the foreign press and the slanderous rumors spread by hostile elements in this country concerning the suicide of Mara Racheva, the former secretary of G. M. Dimitrov and later of the Minister Nikola Petkov, the Office of the National Militia announces:
On May 24 Mara Racheva was arrested in connection with her active participation in the organization of the escape of G. M. Dimitrov.
Confronted with the fact and in the presence of fellow conspirators, Racheva divulged valuable information. At the moment when she was to have put in writing her extensive and reiterated testimony, both confirmed and unconfirmed by her fellow participants, Racheva, comprehending the completeness of the proof of her serious crime, took advantage of the carelessness of the guards and threw herself out of the window of the office, thus committing suicide. Her evidence disclosing the plan for the escape of Dimitrov, the means prepared for his flight abroad, the assurances given by her to Dimitrov that she, together with the foreigner were ready to act, is of particular importance in throwing light on the criminal activities and organization of the Gemetovists, as enemies of the Fatherland Front and as agents of a foreign interest. This evidence was obtained from her without the use of any force whatsoever. This is substantiated by the medical examinations made by Dr. Peter Iordanov Petrov, regular assistance at the medical faculty in Sofia, and Dr. Yanaki Zahariev Holevich of the surgical ward of the Red Cross hospital, in the presence of the witness Iordan Dimov Rusev, 40 years of age, of Sofia, and of Veseli Stoichkov Petrov, 35 years of age, both employees of the public transport service, which established the lack of any traces whatsoever of the use of force. After this examination the body of Racheva was relinquished to her family and was buried by them. The sole purpose [Page 256] of the slanderous campaign being conducted in connection with the escape of Gemeto and the suicide of Racheva is a [to] discredit Fatherland Front Bulgaria.”
In view of certain of the phraseology used and of the intentional or unintentional implications of this phraseology I have today addressed the following letter to the Minister for Foreign Affairs:
“The connection drawn in the declaration of the National Militia, published in today’s press, between the death of Mara Racheva and the fact that on May 24 Mr. G. M. Dimitrov sought refuge at my home has been noted by me. In particular my attention has been attracted by the following sentence: ‘Her (Mara Racheva’s) evidence disclosed the plan for the escape of Dimitrov, the means prepared for his flight abroad, the assurances given by her to Dimitrov that she, together with the foreigner were ready to act’ et cetera, et cetera.
I believe you will agree with me that this sentence conveys an impression that does not correspond in any way with the facts in the case as I have communicated them to you. I am also sure that under these circumstances you will feel as strongly as I do that public clarification of the ambiguity of this sentence is imperative.
I therefore request that this letter be brought immediately to the attention of the Bulgarian Minister of Interior and of the Director of the National Militia. I shall expect an early reply from Your Excellency as to what steps the Minister of Interior and the Director of the National Militia propose to take to effect the public clarification that is hereby requested.
I am telegraphing the statement of the National Militia and the text of this letter to my Government.”
Brief comment on the declaration will be telegraphed.