123G35/139
The Minister in Poland (Gibson) to
the Acting Secretary of State
Warsaw, May 2,
1919.
[Received May
26.]
No. 1
Sir: In confirmation of my telegram No. 3 [6] of May 2nd,2 I have the honor to report that I have today
delivered to General Pilsudski, Chief of the Polish State, my letters of
credence as American Minister to Poland.
I have the honor to transmit herewith enclosed for the information of the
Department a copy of the remarks I made on that occasion (enclosure No.
1), together with copy and translation of General Pilsudski’s reply.
…
The ceremonies on this occasion were very simple. General de Yatzyna,
Superintendent of the Military Schools, called for me with an aide
shortly before four o’clock with three open carriages and two squadrons
of lancers, for the drive to the Belvedere Palace at the other end of
the city, the old country home of the Kings of Poland. The guard of
honor was drawn up in the court yard as we drove in and the military
band played the American National Anthem. The Chef de
Protocole, Count Przyzdziecki and several aides in full uniform
led the way to the room where I was to be received. The Vice Minister
for Foreign Affairs, M. Wróblewski, met me at the door and escorted me
to the other end of the room where he presented me to the Chief of State
who was waiting with his staff and the members of the cabinet. After I
had read my speech and General Pilsudski had replied, I presented to him
the members oi my staff and he in turn presented me to the cabinet.
General Pilsudski then asked me to be seated, and we talked for about
twenty minutes, after which we took our leave and returned to our hotel.
As we came out of the palace the band played the Polish National
Anthem.
I have [etc.]
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[Enclosure 1]
Remarks of the American Minister (Gibson) on the Occasion of
His Reception by the Chief of the Polish State (Pilsudski), May 2,
1919
I have the honor to place in Your Excellency’s hands the letters
accrediting me as Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary
of the United States of America near Your Excellency’s
Government.
I esteem it a high honor to have been chosen by the President of the
United States as the first American Minister to Poland. My
satisfaction will be complete if I can contribute in some measure to
the welfare of the Polish Nation and can faithfully interpret the
friendship of the American people. This friendship, deeply rooted
and sincere, dates from the time of Kosciuszko and Pulaski whom we
claim a right to share with you as national heroes. Devotion to the
Polish cause could not but be strong in a country where today four
million Poles rejoice that the mother land has been restored through
the force of her constancy and courage.
Even before America assumed the responsibility of participation in
the world war, our President voiced the views of the whole American
people in stating that no peace could last or ought to last which
did not provide for a united, independent Poland. The reconstitution
of your country therefore represents to the people of the United
States a logical expression of the idea on which their own national
life is founded. It represents a break with the past and the
entrance into a new and we hope a more stable world order. There is
no lover of freedom, no man of vision who is not filled with content
at this great triumph of national faith and of justice as between
peoples. It gives us all fresh courage for the trials of the
future.
For only a misguided patriot and a poor friend could fail to see the
problems still to be met and the obstacles still to be overcome;
first and foremost, the task of consolidating the Polish state,
through the unselfish assistance of the whole population, without
regard to former political or social differences; then, there is the
work of repairing the ravages of war and restoring normal life so
that all may enjoy their share of material happiness. In these
things my countrymen hope that they may be privileged to help.
Whatever they can do will be done gladly as a humble tribute to a
people which has suffered gloriously and has its place secure in our
affections.
The future we can face with confidence. For Poland’s present problems
are but temporary and Poland’s friends have faith that a
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people which has been so
tenacious in their struggle for freedom will be equal to the trials
and ordeals of the new order where Poland shall take her place as a
great, peace-loving and happy nation.
[Enclosure
2—Translation]
Reply of the Chief of the Polish State
(Pilsudski) to the Remarks of
the American Minister (Gibson) on
the Occasion of His Reception, May 2, 1919
Mr. Minister: In delivering to me the
letters by which President Wilson has accredited you near the Polish
Government as Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary, you
have been good enough to use words at the same time cordial and
forceful to express on the one hand the friendly sentiment of
sympathy of the United States for Poland and your personal feelings
as well, and on the other hand to make clear the means by which you
hope to accomplish the task which has been confided to you near the
Polish Government.
I thank you sincerely, Mr. Minister. Permit me to say that in
describing your mission so clearly and in so lofty a manner my
fullest support is assured to you from this time on.
This great day where we are permitted to greet the first envoy of the
United States reminds us of all that Poland, now born anew, owes to
your country.
Our thoughts turn first to your illustrious President, that great
statesman admired by all Poles, who was the first to proclaim to all
the world the right of a united Poland to an independent and
sovereign existence. We think with gratitude of the noble and
victorious Republic of the United States, always ready to serve
humanity in its difficulties for new and more equitable forms of
international life and of that hospitable country of America which
has become a second mother land for thousands of our children.
Your words, Mr. Minister, are at the same time a precious pledge of
the support and assistance which the great American Republic will
certainly not fail to give us freely in our efforts to consolidate
the new Polish State. We are fully aware of the grandeur and at the
same time of the difficulty of this task. We assume it,
nevertheless, with confidence, firmly resolved that Poland shall
resume in the family of nations its rightful place,—a Poland happy
and peaceful governed in the memorable words of Lincoln “by the
people and for the people”. Conscious of the bonds of friendship
uniting us to America, I myself, the Government and the whole of
Poland will work to draw even closer these bonds already so ancient,
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and we are glad that
in the accomplishment of this task we can count upon the help of a
diplomat who has already distinguished himself so brilliantly.
Welcome among us!
