Pursuit of an 'Unparalleled Opportunity'
The American YMCA and Prisoner of War Diplomacy among the Central Power Nations
during World War I, 1914-1923.
by Kenneth Steuer

Appendix 10a

YMCA-Bulgarian War Prisoners' Aid Agreement

image On 21 December 1917, the Bulgarian Ministry of War and the World's Alliance of Young Men's Christian Associations signed an agreement giving neutral War Prisoners' Aid secretaries access to Allied POW's in Bulgarian prison camps. The first Ministry of War document, No. 7477, was sent to Christian Phildius from Lieutenant General Bradistiloff, Chief of the General Staff, and Dr. Bontscheff.1 It outlines in letter form the agreement the World's Alliance and the Bulgarians reached regarding WPA services in German. The second document, No. 7479, was the general order sent to divisional officers across Bulgaria from Bradistiloff and Bonstscheff detailing the agreement reached with the World's Alliance, granting WPA secretaries access to Allied POW's. Association secretaries are free to visit barracks, hospitals, and labor detachments; meet with the members of the prison self-help committees; photograph their activities; distribute funds and goods such as food parcels, clothing, blankets, and medical supplies; organize educational and entertainment programs; support divine services for different confessions; and distribute Bibles and New Testaments. The third document, in English, lists the members of the Committee of Honor of the Bulgarian Branch of the War Prisoners' Aid Committee. The Bulgarian WPA program came under the protection of Crown Prince Boris and included leading members of the kingdom's military, court, church, and academicians.2

Notes:

Note 1: Lieutenant General Bradistiloff to Christian Phildius, Ministry of War, No. 7477, 21 December 1917, Sofia, Bulgaria, 1 p. Section (497.2) Bulgaria; Folder: "War Prisoners'Aid in Bulgaria, Reports Mr. Phildius," World's Alliance of YMCA's Archives, Geneva. back

Note 2: Lieutenant General Bradistiloff to Christian Phildius, Ministry of War, No. 7479, 21 December 1917, Sofia, Bulgaria, 2 pp. Section (497.2) Bulgaria; Folder: "War Prisoners' Aid in Bulgaria, Reports Mr. Phildius," World's Alliance of YMCA's Archives, Geneva. back