James P. Cannon & Roger N. Baldwin: Protest Mass Arrests in Bulgaria (19 July 1946) (original) (raw)

James P. Cannon & Roger N. Baldwin

(19 July 1946)

Published: The Militant, Vol. 10 No. 30, 27 July 1946, p. 1.
Source: PDF supplied by the Riazanov Library Project.
Transcription/Mark-up: Einde O’Callaghan for the Marxists’ Internet Archive.
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NEW YORK, July 19 – A strong protest was cabled today by James P. Cannon, National Secretary of the Socialist Workers Party, to Prime Minister Georgiev, Sofia, Bulgaria, protesting the mass arrests of Trotskyists in the recent new reign of terror in Bulgaria, and demanding their immediate release. A copy of the cable was also sent to the Bulgarian Minister of the Interior. The full text of the cable follows:

“We are reliably informed that mass arrests of members of the International Communist Party, Fourth International, are taking place in Bulgaria. Among those arrested is Dr. Gatchev of Ploudiv.

“We demand the immediate release of these revolutionary socialist fighters whose record of struggle against all forms of tyranny and oppression is unblemished. Reply to Socialist Workers Party, New York.”

A similar cable was sent to the Prime Minister of Bulgaria today by Roger N. Baldwin, Chairman of the International League for the Rights of Man, who is also Director of the American Civil Liberties Union. Mr. Baldwin protested the mass arrests of Trotskyists and members of the League for the Rights of Man in Bulgaria. His cable reads:

“Reliable reports of arrests of leaders of Bulgarian League for Rights of Man and of Fourth International prompt inquiry as to reasons and strong protest if involving, as we assume, only propaganda. Trust your government will recognize freedom of organization by all elements without exception. Kindly reply to Rights of Man, New York.”

Prominent editors, spokesmen of the labor and progressive movement and others will be enlisted in the campaign to demand immediate release of the antifascist victims of the new Bulgarian blood purge, stated Farrell Dobbs, editor of The Militant.

Last updated on 25 June 2021