[George Bilainkin, English journalist.] Twelve items relating to Marshal Tito and Yugoslavia, including letters from Reginald Pound and G. P. Gooch, an account of an interview by him with Ante Pavelic, a pamphlet, a press release, a permit.

Bilainkin had a particular interest in Yugoslavia, and these items date from around the time of the publication of his 'Four Weeks in Yugoslavia' in 1947, and biography of Tito two yeas later. The collection is in fair condition, on aged and worn paper, with loss to the third item. Item One. Extract from undated typescript, presumably by Bilainkin. 9pp., foolscap 8vo. Paginated in pencil 56-64 and with a few pencil emendations. The extract is comprises a report of an interview in which the fascist Ante Pavelic (1889-1959) describes 'life as Head of the Croat State', including his last meeting with Hitler, in 1944. The first sentence of the extract reads: 'For over a year the Yugoslav authorities compelled Milos to send messages to his former employers, in the British and American controlled camps in Austria.' It concludes: 'The sadness on the face of the former Poglavnik as he pondered on the loss of the gold was poignant. He added, when I asked if any of the money had been recovered, "Not one cent."' Item Two. Typed Letter Signed to Bilainkin from Dr Ljubo Leonti? On letterhead of the Royal Yugoslav Embassy, London. 31 May 1945. 1p., 4to. 'It is my strong desire to make known to the British people what has been done by Democratic Federative Yugoslavia towards victory in the war. | As regards the work of the War Crimes Commission, Dr. Zivkovi?, our delegate on the Commission, will be pleased to give you all the necessary information on this subject.' Item Three. Typed War Office Travel Bureau permit, signed by Major C. R. Chudley, for 'Mr. Geo Bilainkin (T-0124) Daily Mail' to travel to Paris by military aircraft. 31 July 1945. 1p., landscape 12mo. With the Bureau's purple stamp. Damaged and worn. Item Four. 'Duplicate Copy' of typed communication from the Press Attaché, British Embassy, Belgrade, to Bilainkin. 8 November 1945. 1p., small 4to. Informing him that his 'entry into Bulgaria has now been authorised by the A.C.C.' and making a couple of comments. Item Five. Typed Letter Signed to Bilainkin from Reginald Pound. On letterhead of the Strand Magazine, London. 22 November 1945. 2pp., 12mo. 'About Tito, I was lunching yesterday with some newspaper friends of mine and he was discussed. I feel none too happy about the possibility of an article on him, for I am assured that he defies all attempts at making him a colourful subject.' Item Six. Autograph Letter Signed to Bilainkin from George Peabody Gooch (1873-1968), editor of the Contemporary Review. On letterhead of Upway Corner, Chalfont St Peter, Bucks. 10 December 1945. 2pp., landscape 12mo. 'It sounds as if you are off on yr travels again. Czechoslovakia & Jugoslavia are both tempting, but I vote for the latter because it is less known. I shd be glad of an article (2,000-2,500 words) to reach me by Jan. 5. I have heard completely different verdicts on Tito from friends who have been there & shd be glad to hear yr. view. No need at all to abstain from politics - on the contrary. I expect you saw Kinglsey Martin's impressions in the N[ew]. S[tatesman]. Of course Russian influence predominates, & no one can complain of that. What we have a right to ask for is some measure of toleration for non-Communists.' Item Seven. Typed Letter Signed to Bilainkin from Reginald Pound. On Strand letterhead. 18 December 1945. 1p., 12mo. He informs Bilainkin that his 'Tito article has been very carefully studied here', but explaining that he must decline it because 'The general effect it had on me is that of an article over-written in order to compensate for the elusiveness of this man's personality. That is unfortunate. Evidently there is something about him that is impressive to see and hear, and yet which cannot be communicated through the medium of print.' He feels sure that Bilainkin will be able to sell the article elsewhere, but has to be 'on my guard against the over-written article'. Item Eight. Autograph Letter Signed to Bilainkin from Margaret Lloyd, Hon. Sec., Yugoslavia Emergency Committee (British). On the Committee's letterhead. 28 December 1945. 2pp., 8vo. The Committee have been 'much interested' in his article on Yugoslavia in the 'Illustrated [London News]'. She wonders whether he has 'other photos as well as those you printed', and asks to be telephoned on the matter. Item Nine. Typed Letter Signed to Bilainkin ('Dear George') from . On letterhead of the Embassy of the Federative People's Republic of Yugoslavia, London. 28 December 1951. 1p., 4to. A letter of thanks for a 'friendly gesture'. Item Ten. Printed pamphlet: 'Freedom of Religion in the Federative People's Republic of Yugoslavia. Documents' (Beograd: 1947). 33pp., 12mo, with eight photographic plates. Item Eleven. Duplicated publicity notice from the 'Tanjug Telegraphic Agency New Jugoslavia', London Office: 19 Upper Phillimore Gardens, W8. No. 283, 20 July 1956. 4pp., foolscap 8vo. Leading article titled: 'Mr. Nehru of India joins President Tito and President Nasser for Talks on World Problems'. Item Twelve. First page only of typescript of unpublished letter (by Bilainkin?) to the editor of The Times. Undated. 1p., 8vo. With Titled 'Secret Trials' and discussing the 1956 trial of Milouan Djilas. With a couple of manuscript corrections.