Macedonia 1941 - Documents 1-10

No. 1 - MINUTES No. 1 OF THE MEETING ABOUT THE CREATION OF A CENTRAL COMMITTEE OF THE MACEDONIAN BULGARIAN COMMITTEES

No. 4 - INFORMATIONAL ARTICLE IN MACEDONIA NEWSPAPER ABOUT THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE BULGARIAN CENTRAL CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE IN SKOPJE

No. 5 - POWER OF ATTORNEY TO VASSIL HADZHIKIMOV FOR TRAVELING ROUND MACEDONIA AND FOR RECEIVING MONEY

No. 6 - MINUTES No.3 FROM THE MEETING OF THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE OF THE MACEDONIAN BULGARIAN COMMITTEES

No. 7 - MINUTES No. 4 OF THE MEETING OF THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE OF THE MACEDONIAN BULGARIAN COMMITTEES

No. 8 - TELEGRAM-GREETING OF BCCC TO TSAR BORIS III ON THE OCCASION OF THE ENTERING OF THE BULGARIAN ARMY IN VARDAR MACEDONIA

No. 9 - A TELEGRAM FROM TSAR BORIS III TO BCCC IN REPLY TO THE GREETING TELEGRAM FOR THE MEETING OF THE BULGARIAN ARMY IN VARDAR MACEDONIA

MINUTES No. 1 OF THE MEETING ABOUT THE CREATION OF A CENTRAL COMMITTEE OF THE MACEDONIAN BULGARIAN COMMITTEES

Bulgarians from the enslaved until now Macedonia gathered today, April 13, 1941, and examined the newly created situation related to the liberation of Macedonia from Serbian and Greek rule, and the desire of the oppressed Bulgarians to be represented and interpreted correctly before the German triumphant army, that has occupied and liberated Macedonia, and also before the armies and the administration of the Bulgarian King - Liberator of Macedonia -Tsar Boris III in the willingness troubles to be avoided, connected with the great change in the life of the Macedonian Bulgarians, that occurred with the liberation of Macedonia. The meeting

1. Creation of Central Committee of the Macedonian Bulgarian Committees* - with territory of operation the whole of Macedonia, liberated from Serbian and Greek oppression.

2. Goal: represent all needs and interests of Macedonia before the respective German authorities, as well as before the expected with joy and enthusiasm by this Central Committee Bulgarian authorities.

3. The formation of this Central Committee put its functions in the position of power - at first, and later, according to the Bulgarian law, its functions would be changed in a way that in every place the work in favour of Macedonia to continue.

5. Membership of the Central committee: Ilija Atanassov, Spiro Kitinchev, Vassil Hadzhikimov, Stephan Yanakiev Stephanov, Blagoy Popankov, Kroum Organdzhiev**, Ivan Piperkov, Dr. Nikola Andonov, Dr. Alexander Georgiev, Dr. Boris Blagoev, Toma Drangov, Miho Mihaylov, Dr. Darche Hristov, Dr. Doncho Zografski, Trayko Ribarev, Trayche Andreev, Yanaki Kostov Shouplev, Blagoy Dimchev, Priest Stoil Davidkov, Kroum Babamov, Tomche Pop Tsvetanov, Panche Krustev, Krustio Vassev, Zafir Dzhikov, Dr. Boris Andreev, Boris Petrov, Dr. Todor Hadzhi Milkov, Ariton Dimkov, Georgi Shendov, Nikola Yakimov, Alexander Krustev, Strahil Kotsev.

6. The Central committee elects and has elected an Executive Committee with the following members:

5. Advisors: Blagoy Popankov, Ivan Piperov, Dr. Alexander Georgiev and Ilia Atanassov.

Signatures: [follow the signatures of the members of the Executive Committee, without this of Ilija Atanassov]

CSH, fund 396, list 1, file 37, page 75. Also in: Minchev, D. ,,Formation and activity...", p. 76-77, Doc No. 1.

* In the text was written ,,clubs" and afterwards was replaced with “committees". At the meeting in Galichki Inn the idea was not to be set up committees, but clubs - by analogy of the Bulgarian Constitution Clubs, created in Turkey for legal activities after the New Turkish Revolution.

** Everywhere in the documents he appeared as Organdzhiev, only here he was Yorgandzhiev.

MINUTES No. 2 OF THE MEETING OF THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE OF THE MACEDONIAN BULGARIAN COMMITTEES

The committee gathered today, April 13, 1941 and decided on its first meeting, at full membership:

1. To make steps before the German authorities for the municipality, in a sense, that it should be managed by Bulgarians. The committee proposed Spiro Kitinchev for president of the municipality and as members Blagoy Popyordanov and Kroum Organdzhiev.

2. About the celebration of Easter, the Committee decided to let a subscription list, for raising funds for the German soldiers. Also presents and food products.

All products received to be taken and given to the German authorities in the presence of the Committee with all of its members, who should make a speech appropriate for the case.

CSA, fund 396, list 34, page 14. Original, manuscript; Minchev. D. ..Formation and Activity...", p.78.

SPEECH OF THE MEMBER OF THE MANAGEMENT COUNCIL OF THE MACEDONIAN SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTE PROFESSOR STEPHAN BADZHOV BEFORE THE MINISTER PLENIPOTENTIARY OF GERMANY BARON VON RICH THOFEN IN CONNECTION WITH THE LIBERATION OF MACEDONIA

The Bulgarian emigrants from Macedonia gathered here to share our feelings, and 10 ask you to give to the Great Fuhrer of the German nation our admiration for the lightning victories, with which the oppressors of Macedonia were smashed, and also to express our gratitude for the liberty of our fellow-men, the Macedonian Bulgarians.

We, the Bulgarians from Macedonia, arc connected with the ones, living on the other side of the border of our Bulgarian fatherland. We have not only one and the same origin, but also one and the same historical destiny. Our strengths and our sufferings were common during the centuries. Common was our struggle for national revival during the last hundred years. The first book, printed in new Bulgarian language appeared in Salonica, and the first town, that required Bulgarian bishop was Skopje. The Bulgarians in Macedonia always were side by side with the rest of the Bulgarian nation in all struggles for liberation of the Bulgarian people. Nothing divided us until the English policy did destroy United Bulgaria (established according to the San Stephano Peace Treaty), set apart Macedonia from the Bulgarian Principality, and put it again under oppression. Afterward the Bulgarians from Macedonia rose four times for liberation, for which they were inspired by the bequeath of the Bulgarian fatherland. In 1912 the triumphant Bulgarian armies, in which participated 15 battalions of Bulgarians from Macedonia, side by side with Macedonians as officers and soldiers in the regular Bulgarian army, gained our liberation. But the Serbian government, and the intrigues of Greece brought even worst servitude. But even this severe trial could not reduce the aspiration of the Macedonians to freedom and national unification. In 1915 we met with enthusiasm and willingness the union with Germany in which their (of the Macedonians - translator's note) leaders participated a great deal.

These, who served in the Bulgarian army, shed their blood in the battlefields together with the German soldiers in the common struggle for justice.

But in the end instead of justice, fraud triumphed, and afterwards came the oppression. One even heavier hand rested upon Macedonia. Serbs and Greeks not only did take away every human right, but started with unknown cruelty to wrench from the root every feeling from the souls of the Macedonian Bulgarians, even the memory for their nationality.

During this somber lime we found support in three powerful feelings: the consciousness for the spiritual strength of the Macedonian Bulgarians, the faith in the inviolable unity of the Bulgarian nation, and the hope that our noble ally, the German people will put out a salvage hand in the day when again it will show its power

As early as when the Great Fuhrer of the German nation, Adolph Hitler took their destiny in his hands (of the German people - translator's note) we guessed, that the Big Day was near. And this Day arrived. The German power, that had risen with uncontrollable strength to destroy the dictatorship of injustice and oppression came to break the chains of Macedonia. Before us already was the piclurc of one Bulgaria, united under the scepter of our beloved Boris III, in inviolable union with our noble ally, the great German stale.

We feel weak to express our deep and strong feelings, that we bear in our hearts and those of the Bulgarian people.

We ask you to transmit to the Great Fuhrer of the German nation, Adolph Hitler, the following words:

In the days of our suffering and weakness we were always true in our memories and hopes to our ally, the German people. In the future we will also prove this faithfulness with the impulse of our wish and with the power of our hands.

Long live the German people, long live its Great Fuhrer, long live the victorious German army!

CSA fund 3, file 1198, p.10, 11, 11 Original, typed. Translation from German.

INFORMATIONAL ARTICLE IN MACEDONIA NEWSPAPER ABOUT THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE BULGARIAN CENTRAL CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE IN SKOPJE

Bulgarians from all liberated parts of Macedonia, even still stunned by the lightning blow with which the Macedonian tyrant was knocked down, and the chains of slavery were torn apart, at a meeting, that took place on 13 April 1941 in Skopje, considered the new situation, connected with the liberation of Macedonia from Serbian and Greek rule, and in their desire to have correctly defended, represented, and interpreted the strives and the interests of the oppressed until yesterday Bulgarians before the German triumphant armies, and the Bulgarian Tsar - Liberator of Macedonia, Tsar Boris III, and also willing to avoid any troubles related to the change in the life of the Macedonian Bulgarians, with the Liberation of Macedonia, took the following decision:

1. Formation of a Bulgarian Central Committee for Macedonia, liberated from Serbian and Greek rule.

2. This committee to start functioning immediately, and to create local committees in all parts of liberated

Macedonia

, without wasting time.

3. The functions of the committee to be facilitated by charity at first, and afterwards from membership fees.

The committee will be at the same time local committee for Skopje and for the district.

The names of the members of the committee are put in a visible place under the declaration to the people of Macedonia.

POWER OF ATTORNEY TO VASSIL HADZHIKIMOV FOR TRAVELING ROUND MACEDONIA AND FOR RECEIVING MONEY

The Bulgarian Central Campaign Committee of Macedonia with headquarters in Skopje with the present, authorizes the Secretary Organizer Mr. Vassil Hadzhikimov.

President of the Bulgarian Central Committee of Macedonia: Stephan Stephanov [seal] Skopje,

CSA, fund 1591, list 3, file 27, page 1. Original, typed, Minchev, D. “Formation and Activity..”., p. 79.

MINUTES No.3 FROM THE MEETING OF THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE OF THE MACEDONIAN BULGARIAN COMMITTEES

1. The Macedonian captives to be discovered and set free. The president has already spoken with the German authorities, which promised to cooperate.

2. A cloth for flags [Bulgarian and German] to be bought. The flags to be given to the poor Bulgarians for free. The respective sum to be collected by charity.

3. Blank forms of the Committee to be printed in the Bulgarian and in the German language.

4. To be required from the German authorities: all Serbs, Turks and Tsintsars to be replaced with Bulgarians, and civil militia from Bulgarians to be formed.

5. Signs to be printed, that show which houses and shops were Bulgarian to prevent for one or another reason assault by German soldiers.

6. A car to be found, and rented for the Secretary Organizer by which he would travel round Macedonia to organize local committees.

CSA fund 396, list 1, file 37 page 18. Original, manuscript; Minchev, D. “Formation and Activity...", p. 78.

MINUTES No. 4 OF THE MEETING OF THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE OF THE MACEDONIAN BULGARIAN COMMITTEES

At the present meeting the Bulgarian Central Campaign Committee for Macedonia, presented by its Executive Committee, decided:

1. The expenses of the Committee to be incurred upon a resolution of the president, the deputy president, the cashier, and the secretary and the respective documents should be kept by the cashier.

2. The members of the Committee, who had collected charity for presents for the German soldiers for Christmas, to hand over immediately the remaining amount to the cashier.

3. The members of the commission Dr. Georgiev, Dr. Andonov, Ilija Atanassov, Strahil Kotsev, Michail Mihov to continue with their efforts to find and liberate the captured Bulgarians from Macedonia.

4. A telegram - Greeting, to be send lo Hitler for his birthday and to the head of stale of independent Croatia, Dr. Ante Pavelich on the occasion of the liberation of Croatia.

CSA fund 396, file 37, p. 17. Original, manuscript; Minchev, D. “Formation and Activity...", p. 79.

TELEGRAM-GREETING OF BCCC TO TSAR BORIS III ON THE OCCASION OF THE ENTERING OF THE BULGARIAN ARMY IN VARDAR MACEDONIA

Your tremendous efforts to gain the complete union of the Bulgarian nation have been crowned with final and brilliant success.

Macedonia

, the great Bulgarian martyr now is free and is in a jointly Bulgarian national community.

One great ideal - the freedom and the accession of Macedonia to mother Bulgaria for which the Bulgarian and Macedonian people led centuries-long struggle with unparalleled heroism and countless great and priceless sacrifices now is reality!

The Bulgarian people in liberated Macedonia are still stunned, deeply moved and full with joy and gratitude to Tsar Boris III.

The Bulgarian people in the liberated Macedonia meets today, April 17, 1941 at 2 p.m. Bulgarian time in Skopje a company of the glorious army of the Unified Great Bulgaria in most touching and solemn way and considers its duty to show you its deep respect and to ask you to believe in its devotion and faithfulness to Your Majesty as well to accept our salutations and wishes for prosperity of the Bulgarian Tsar's home - on the occasion of the greatest day in the life of the Bulgarian people - the Unification of the Bulgarian nation in strong and great Bulgaria under your scepter!

A TELEGRAM FROM TSAR BORIS III TO BCCC IN REPLY TO THE GREETING TELEGRAM FOR THE MEETING OF THE BULGARIAN ARMY IN VARDAR MACEDONIA

Stephan Stephanov, President of the Bulgarian Central Campaign Committee - Skopje.

To you, the Bulgarians in liberated Macedonia, I want to thank from all my heart for the nice greetings, that you sent me in connection with the entering of the valiant Bulgarian army in Skopje, and I am sending you my sincere regards and good wishes.

MINUTES OF THE MEETING FOR CREATION OF A LOCAL BULGARIAN CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE IN THE TOWN OF

Today, April 14. at a crowded meeting in the town of Veles on the initiative of the Central Campaign Committee for Macedonia, with Headquarters in Skopje, and with the participation of the secretary Vassil Hadzhi Kimov, a Civil Local Campaign Committee for Veles was elected. The following members were elected: Boris Andreev, Nikola Toshanov, Mino Minov, Panko Brashnarov, Strahil Gigov, Atso Shoukarov, Kotse Vanov, Tode Maystorcheto, Dimche Garbev, Gigo Kovachov, Angel Panov, Jordan Srebrov, Georgi Georchev, Lazo Kitsov, Sazdo Hadjipetrushev, Angel Korabarov, Kotse Onchev, Dr. Dimchev Smilev, Lazo Stoyanov, Milan Andonov, Strahil Giorgov, Dimko Uroumov, Nikola Kirkov, Dimko Strachkov, Kiro Zafirov, Kotse Zafirov, Lazo Krepiev, Giyosho Organdzhiev, Petar Alchev, Damian Ivanov, Ordan Gaberov, Vlado Andov, Vassil Zafirchev and Angel Maznev.

The committee agreed to accept the instructions of the Central Campaign Committee for Macedonia,

1. To represent the town of Veles before all authorities and to protect its economical, political and cultural interests.