File No. 860c.01/21a
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Great Britain ( Page)
5344. Department has been considering for several months means looking to the support of the Polish people in their efforts to obtain their freedom and to restore Poland as an independent nation. It has been suggested that a great stimulus might be given to the Polish cause, and, indirectly to the general cause against Germany, by the establishment in this country of a Polish provisional government to be recognized by this Government and the Allied Governments as the government of an independent Poland. Upon such recognition this Government could legally loan the government so set up funds for military purposes secured by Polish bonds underwritten by this country and the Allies. The further suggestion has been made that such a government thereupon recruit Poles resident in this country, if naturalized Americans either above or below the draft age, and if aliens, of any age. The army so recruited to be trained in Canadian camps supplied by the English and when trained to be transported to Europe on English transports. This [Page 761] army to be commanded by an American or Polish general under either the American or Polish flag and to fight in conjunction with American troops in France.
You are requested informally and orally to sound the British Government, ascertaining whether the present time is considered opportune for action as above suggested. In the event that the British Government is favorably inclined to this proposition, please report any suggestions it may have as to the method to be adopted to secure proper representation of the Polish people in any government to be established in this country. You may suggest, informally, that it might be possible by a proclamation of the President, accepted by the Allies, to offer the Polish people the assistance of this country toward the formation of a provisional government and the establishment of a military force to be used in conjunction with the armies already fighting Germany.
There seems to be a rather varied opinion among the Poles as to the method to be adopted in the premises. Apparently, however, the majority of them feel that the initiative in any such project must be taken by this country. As you probably know, there is already established in France an autonomous Polish Army, fighting under the generalship of the French and recruited from Poles now residing in France. It does not seem altogether practicable, however, further to recruit this army from Poles resident in this country.
Report on this matter by cable as soon as possible.