The suppression of Macedonian terrorism

The suppression of Macedonian terrorism

would bring about better relations with Yugoslavia and, therefore, make for

stability in the Balkans. Stable Balkans would be less susceptible to the

blandishments and revisionist pressures of Rome and Berlin and would therefore

further British and western European interests. This was in line with Velchev’s

hopes because, wrote Swire, ‘Velchev has always insisted that in foreign

affairs Bulgaria should be guided by Great Britain. . ,’14 Indeed in later

letters and newspaper articles Swire was careful to link the 1934 coup with

foreign affairs. Typical of many such writings is a letter to the editor of The

Manchester Guardian, written after the war.

On 17 May 1934 the Prime Minister of the day, Moushanov, announced that Goering was about to visit Sofia. On 19 May a military coup d’etat took place, planned and directed by Colonel Damian Velchev . . . The coup was bloodless. There were no executions, no arrests save of a few proved terrorist assassins. A wave of relief swept the country. And while this Government remained in power, nothing more was heard of Goering. . . But in 1935 Tsar Boris skilfully regained absolute power by dividing his opponents upon domestic issues… No sooner did Tsar Boris hold the reins securely again than Goering’s deferred visit to Sofia took place on 26 May, 1935.

Swire was convinced that Velchev’s pacific

policy and his desire for conciliation with Yugoslavia was in tune with the

wishes of the vast majority of the Bulgarian nation. In an article published in

The Near East and India on 10 January, 1935 Swire had expanded more fully on

the relationship between Velchev, the army and the people. The article was

headed ‘A Pacifist People’ and began:

In some quarters grave doubts

Bulgaria today is pacifist. There may have been in some quarters grave doubts upon the subject while she was dominated by Macedonian terrorists and ruled by politicians who were in no danger, themselves, of being called upon to make war. But behind the present regime stands the Army; and the Army in democratic Bulgaria, springs from the people, of whom 80 percent are peasants. Most of the officers come from humble homes and know the abject poverty of those homes. The masses desire peace and an economic revival which cannot come by war. So pacifist they will remain . . .