The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-07-20
SOVIET GENERAL SHOT

This caused the second most severe strain on American-Rus- sian relations since the start of the war. (Most severe strain oc- cured when American flyers mis- takingly shot and killed a Rus sian lieutenant general as both the American and Russian armies were converging on Berlin. This was just before Stalin sent his savage note to the late President Roosevelt, after which U. s. troops were withdrawn to the River Elbe. ..,
 Dimitrov was no NaI He is a middle of road Bulgarian poh- tical leader representing the near est approach to Bulgarian democ- racy. The British, reporting on him to the State Department said: -
 we ourselves had to arrange Dimitrov's escape from Bulgaria in 1941 in order to save his life from the Germans. Subsequently he worked in the Middle East in direct interests of the war. We are thus certain of his consist .ent, active opposition to the
 Germans and of his anti-Fascist views"
 Illustrative of anti-British sus- picion in Bulgaria, however, was the fact that the Bulgarian Com munists charged Dimitrov with being British agent (the Brit ish naturally had helped pay his living expenses while he was ex- lied in Egypt. and the British representative in Sofia had to protest the whole matter to the Bulgarian Prime Minister.
 This protest fell on deaf ears. Bulgarian militiamen, on May "A surrounded the home of U. S. Minister Barnes, demanding that Dimitrov be turned over to them. Barnes refused. Bull garian troops later were re- placed by Soviet troops.
 The American Charge d'Affair- es in Moscow demanded that these guards be withdrawn. Bar nes communicated with Washing ton. The State Department sup ported him 100 per cent. Ameri- can troops were then placed around his house. facing Russian troops. It was not a pretty pie ture for two Allies so recently fighting Hitler.
 Meanwhile Bulgarian Commurl- ists arrested Dimitrov's wife. her maid, and his former secretary, together with various leaders of the Agrarian Party.
 TORTURED BY BULGARS
 An official note was delivered to the U. S. and British Govern ments warning that the family of Dimitrov would be tortured and killed if he were not released. The British and American Gov ernments replied in a note ex- pressing their loathing and dis gust.
 A few days later, May 90, the body of Dimitrov's former secretary was found dead out side Bulgarian Militia H ca d. quarters. The official explana- tion was that she had commit ted suicide. The doctors report, however, revealed that she had been cruelty tortured.
 Meanwhile. as of May 26, all Americans visiting the home of U. S. Minister Barnes were re- quired to show Soviet passes in order to pass the Soviet guards. Even Barnes himself was requir- ed to show a pass. This Barnes refused to do: and remained in his own home. Meanwhile Bull garian militiamen carrying ma chine. guns halted American of ficers belinging to U. s. Military Mission in Various parts of Sofia, refusing to let them go to their headquarters at the American college, five miles from the city. U. s. TROOPS ARMED
 American officers. as a result, were given arms. The tension irl- creased.
 Finally. Maj. Gen. John A, Crane. head of the U. s. Military Mission, protested t0 Colonel General Biryusoy, head of the Allied Control Commission. who had just returned from Moaccw'