711.60 c 12Anti-War/27
The Minister in Poland (Stetson) to the Secretary of
State
Warsaw, June 11,
1928.
[Received July 3.]
No. 1776Sir: In confirmation of my telegraphic
Despatch No. 36 of May 30, 8 P.M.,77 relative to Secretary Kellogg’s pact for the
renunciation of war, I now have the honor to transmit herewith the
original text, in French, of the Aide Memoire
handed me by Count Joseph Potocki on behalf of Foreign Minister
Zaleski on May 30.
A translation of the above-mentioned Aide
Memoire identical to that submitted in my telegraphic
despatch No. 36 of May 30, 8 P.M., and modification thereto, No. 38
of June 5, 10 P.M.,77
except for the first two paragraphs, which I did not deem it
necessary to include, is likewise enclosed.
I regret that the Department was misled by my No. 36 of May 30, 8
P.M., as to the exact nature of the text transmitted.
I have [etc.]
[Page 84]
[Enclosure—Translation]
The Polish Minister for Foreign Affairs
(Zaleski) to the American
Minister (Stetson)
The initiative undertaken by the Government of the United States,
having for its object the assuring of the maintenance of pacific
relations between States through the condemnation of war and its
renunciation as an instrument of national policy, has been
received by the Polish Government with the keenest sympathy.
This initiative fully corresponds to the efforts that the Polish
Government has not ceased to follow in its foreign policy, a
policy which tends to strengthen the development of the general
security.
It is in this spirit that the Polish Government is ready to
accept the text of the anti-war pact proposed by the United
States with the interpretation given by Mr. Kellogg in his
speech of April 28 last, to wit:
that the pact prejudices in no way the obligations under the
covenant of the League of Nations nor the rights and obligations
under which the contracting parties are bound by international
agreements entered into prior to this pact;
that all signatories of this pact shall preserve full rights to
freedom of action as regards any powers which might break the
terms of this pact;
that such an interpretation given in an appropriate text would be
in accord with the obligations assumed by Poland under her
international agreements;
that under these circumstances the Polish Government hopes that
the Secretary of State of the United States will invite Poland
to become one of the original signers of the pact;
however, it is understood that while accepting the pact as
proposed by Mr. Kellogg with the above-mentioned interpretations
given in his speech of April 28, Poland could not accept changes
in the pact without further previous discussions. Poland feels
for that reason her cooperation during the negotiations
preceding the conclusion of the pact should not fail to be
recognized.
