Lydia Dragomanova Shishmanova to Emily Greene Balch, June 25, 1925

Dear Miss Balch,

Physically and mentally ill, despite my desire for rest. I feel it my duty to take the second day of Easter to write to you. It is certain that my letter will reach you, but I do not know on what continent! Miss Glücklich will take care of it. Maybe you are already in Europe!

You already know from the newspapers, the terrible events happened in Sofia. I don't know in what form they were told in your newspapers. The enemies of Bulgaria, better organized and more skilful, spread false and exaggerated reports in the foreign press as always. This is why I see fit, that I tell you about these events, as I understand and feel them. You know that I have always sincerely informed you as the representative abroad of the Bulgarian section of our “League of Peace and Freedom. Remember that I predicted to you two weeks in advance the fall of Stambouiyaky's government; remember that I have already written to you several times telling you that the main danger for Bulgaria (and hence for world peace) is the increasingly active activities of the Bolsheviks in our country. Please therefore read my letter carefully and believe that these are observations made on the spot and not the fantasies of journalists such as you find every day, in all countries of the world. (I have read some incredible ones!).

Illness and moral dejection after our terrible disaster did not allow me to finish, so I continue this May 1st, celebration of spring and youth, so sad this year in our unfortunate country! [page 2]

For a long time, but especially in the last year, the Bolshevist propaganda organizations poured enormous sums into Bulgaria and sought to rally all the elements of disorder. You know that the inhuman conditions of the peace treaties, especially ours (the Treaty of Neuilly) exhaust Bulgaria, without giving her the calm necessary to recover. We were disarmed. It seems quite simple. But how? We have simply been assimilated to Germany, an industrial country with a strong proletariat and a militaristic country. So we were imposed a mercenary militia that costs the eyeballs, at least four times more expensive than an ordinary army. And then Bulgaria, an agricultural country, where can she find enough good volunteers for this militia? Only in the slums of the cities among the declassed of all kinds, because the peasants will not leave their fields, nor their cattle to engage “for fun” in a militia ridiculously small while being ridiculously expensive. This state brings an internal insecurity that our country has not known since the Turkish yoke; the country is infested with bands of brigands supported financially and morally by the Bolsheviks. The suits, the murders multiply and finally the last formidable explosion seems to have shaken old Europe a little and will perhaps open its eyes? She allowed us another 10,000 militia until June 1st only! Thanks a lot? Do you know what it will cost? The financiers will tell you! And then what.-- The conspirators have only to hold their peace until the 1st of June and the 2nd of July make a general upheaval! It is no longer a question of procrastinating. Bulgaria needs a small regular army by conscription to police the interior of her country.--This army will certainly be of no danger to her neighbors, even if it were 50 [page 3]

Create a Bolshevik home in the Balkans, which would gradually expand. But what would actually happen even if a plot succeeds in overthrowing the government and founding a communist here? Immediately the three countries which surround us would occupy Bulgaria and that would be the end of its culture and its national independence. Blinded Bulgarian Communists imagine that Russia would immediately come to their aid, which is a chimera. And then even if that happened, it would be the signal for the beginning of a European war. We will see this beginning, but no one can predict the end or the result! The cold, though insane way in which no one can organize the conspiracy which resulted in the explosion at the Cathedral of Saint Nedelia in which 150 people died and 500 were injured, makes us shiver with horror to think that he could have succeeded. The general indignation produced in Bulgaria by the attack, in all walks of life and in all regions, shows the firm resolution to defend oneself, to resist. But Europe must help us in ways other than promises. After the army we need effective and real financial aid, so far we have worked hard only to exhaust ourselves. We are the only defeated country that has paid honestly and executed the treaties. We were sucked everything [page 4] what could. This is the cause of the general malaise in the cities: employees of all ranks are not paid enough to live on. Life after the war has increased 4 times and civil servants receive 3 times less than before the war. This means that everyone has to put up with circumstances 7 times worse. Everyone here notices that. I wonder how the families of small employees with 4-5 children live?! And this in a country where the good Lord has nevertheless spread the natural goods which men do not let you enjoy in peace and at your pleasure. Naturally, this general discontent created an atmosphere favorable to unrest. [page 5]

in Russia and lend a sympathetic ear to offers from Communist agents. A small country like Bulgaria bears with difficulty all the unstable elements. I find that it is the duty of the Entente to deliver it, in the very interest of Europe.

Dono in summary: 3 points are necessary for the maintenance of peace on the Balkans: 1) army by recruitment and not mercenary to Bulgaria;

2) Financial facilities;

3) Settlement of the question of Russian minorities and refugees.

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 Now consider who are the perpetrators and accomplices of the attack on the Church? Is it workers, is it peasants, is it the people in a word? No way. The whole country did not move as a whole. They are ambitious disappointed or eager to arrive by any means: officers, lawyers, even doctors, with downgraded people of all kinds and from both agrarian and communist parties.

 It should be noted that among these there are neither professors of any other rank, nor students, therefore no real intellectuals. All this shows that the horrible deed was not the product of true Bulgarian genius, but perpetuated under the inspiration of rogue foreign revolutionaries. The Bolsheviks will have the nerve to deny it in the press all over the world. The documents are there. Everyone can study them. Peninsula-wide guidelines have been issued showing that the Bolsheviks recommend taking advantage of any discontent whatsoever! In Albania religion and politics – everything is good for them and all this should serve to found in the world the “communal paradise”, which I had the honor and horror of seeing in Russia and Ukraine. Thanks! There are still other malcontents among us: all the women whose husbands do not allow [page 6] cut their hair! They might also try to enlist them! You see. Dear Mademoiselle, this plan is too vast and lacks too many scruples and principles. It can cause trouble in a country. But all just hearts, all democratic minds will turn away from it in disgust. Only this state of insecurity is intolerable, paralyzes the progress and the normal life of a people. And Bulgaria so badly needs a period of tranquility; I have known this country for 36 years and I wonder how it has been able to withstand this series of misfortunes large and small. But one must think of the greatness of Russia, of the smallness of Bulgaria, and then one wonders with horror if she will be able to continue to resist.

Indecision, delay, everything could be disastrous. Finally, I appeal to the security of Europe itself. His very selfishness should inspire him to quick and clear action. The measures which I propose which are those which every Bulgarian government proposed, which all the parties demand, are very easily realizable. To wait would be a crime against us and against oneself.

If you come to see us as you promised-in person and in person-you will convince yourself that I have told you nothing but the strict truth.

I kiss you from the heart

(s.)LYDIA CHICHMANOVA

Shipka Street Sofia Bulgaria