874.0011/8–346: Telegram
The Representative in Bulgaria (Barnes) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 5—12:40 a.m.]
603. With referendum for Republic scheduled September 8, question of future of Queen Mother,57 Child King58 and 14-year old sister, Princess Maria Louise, definitely to fore. It will be recalled that in spring 1945, acting on Department’s instructions, I obtained assurances their safety from PriMin Georgiev. At that time Department agreed ACC obligated to assure safety family and to make just decision with respect to its future after settlement constitutional issues. In its telegram 31, February 5, 1946, Department said “It does not appear from your telegram 94, January 28, Queen and children in immediate danger and Department consequently does not deem it advisable raise matter their safety again”.59 I was directed to “report further developments, to be considered in light of situation then prevailing”.
Yesterday I assured Queen Mother through intermediary that I was convinced satisfactory decision would be taken by Government with respect to future herself and children and that in meantime they need have no fear of physical harm. Queen’s grave concern seemed to necessitate reassuring statement. Personally, I am anything but sanguine about their safety or probability that Queen will be allowed to depart with her children, especially with son, when Republic proclaimed. She has received indications from Government that “all will be well” but has replied, just as I would in her predicament, “Please let me know views Georgi Dimitrov with respect to my children and myself”. This message was communicated by her more than 2 weeks ago. There has been no reply, although I know for fact that question conveyed to Dimitrov and Central Committee Communist Party.
[Page 131]I continue to hope that PriMin can make good his promise to us, of spring 1945, that Queen and her children will always be protected from harm and that when constitutional questions solved family will be permitted to leave country. I know that easy explanation of more dramatic solution, namely liquidation of family, or at any rate of Child King, would be that irresponsible elements had brought to naught Government’s honest intention of protecting family and permitting their unrestrained departure upon establishment Republic, I know also that such explanations in line with Communist thought and action, and that Communists are considerably perturbed by problem what to be done with Queen Mother and two children. Fact that Georgi Dimitrov has not yet answered in sense of Government message that all will be well, is further reason for concern over what may be in store for Queen Mother and her children.
Am deeply conscious identity views between myself and Department to effect that ACC has definite responsibility this matter. In my opinion individual responsibility each representative on Commission could not be disclaimed on grounds of collective responsibility and failure Russians to act, especially in view cavalier manner in which General Biryusov has always disregarded presence on Commission Generals Robertson and Oxley. In other words, should my fears about safety Queen and her children be substantiated by some untoward event, decision that makes them prisoners in effect, either in Bulgaria or Russia, I would feel world censure could justifiably be directed against US and UK as well as against Russian and Bulgarian Governments. Am making no recommendations as to what action might be best under circumstances as I feel responsibility involved so grave as to require Department charting course. Sent Department, repeated Paris for Delsec as 146.