File No. 861.48/403
The Secretary of State to the American Red Cross
Gentlemen: With reference to previous correspondence with regard to the question of sending condensed or evaporated milk into Poland as a relief measure, I have to inform you that the British Government, whose opinion concerning this proposal was consulted by the Department, has replied that it regards the proposal to send milk into Poland with grave misgivings for the following reasons:
[Here follow paragraphs (a), (b), (c), and (d) of the British memorandum of November 2, ante, p. 517.]
The Department is somewhat surprised at the statement that the British Government does not regard the General Committee for Polish Relief at Vevey with favor, as all reports hitherto received from various sources have indicated that this Committee is trustworthy and pro-Ally in sentiment. Apart from this consideration, the Department is inclined to agree with the points raised by the British Government and considers, in view of all the circumstances, that it would be inadvisable to proceed with the project of sending milk into Poland.
There still remains, however, the very serious question of endeavoring to relieve the distress of the Poles in one way or another, not only from the point of view of humanity, which is fully appreciated by the Red Cross, but also from the standpoint of expediency and policy, as affecting the relationship and attitude of the Poles to the United States. Should the frequent appeals for assistance, which are now being received from the Poles with ever-increasing urgency, be left uncomplied with, there is little doubt that the Germans will make full use of the fact and will endeavor to turn the sentiment of [Page 521] the Poles against the United States by indicating that no help can be expected from this quarter.
I am [etc.]
Assistant Secretary