660C.116/171

The Chargé in Poland (Crosby) to the Secretary of State

No. 726

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of the Department’s instruction No. 185 dated May 12, 1935, with respect to the treatment accorded by Poland to American trade. Acting under these instructions I sought an early interview with Foreign Minister Beck but was informed that his time was so fully occupied that he would be unable to receive me until some time next week, and the suggestion was made that I take up my business with the Under Secretary, Count Szembek. The latter received me at noon today at which time I presented to him a copy of the Department’s note that was enclosed with instruction No. 185 above referred to, setting forth in great detail the position of the American Government in the premises (copy enclosed16).

During my conversation with the Under Secretary he explained his unfamiliarity with the question at issue and he expressed his regret at being unable to discuss the matter with me, but stated that he would immediately consult Count Józef Potocki, Director of the Western Department, and Mr. Jan Wszelaki, the Economic Adviser of the Foreign Office, in order that they should make a very careful study of the contents of the note. I did not fail to point out for the Under Secretary’s special attention and cognizance the concluding paragraph of my note No. 17317 and the importance which my Government attaches to this matter as well as its desire to obtain from the Polish Government an authoritative statement setting forth the precise conditions under which American goods are admitted into Poland in order that it may be in a position to determine whether Poland should be assured continued enjoyment of the benefits of reduced duties proclaimed under trade agreements.

Count Szembek then asked me if identic notes were being sent to other governments. I replied in the negative and stated that the questions dealt with and the conversations which had been in progress since March last concerned only the treatment of American merchandise entering Poland. I pointed out the great importance which my government attached to a general awakening and resumption of world trade, the reduction of trade barriers, and the removal of discriminations as a means to more peaceful world conditions. Count Szembek expressed his concurrence in such a policy.

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I asked him with whom the Embassy could discuss and confer about these matters in the Foreign Office and he replied that Messrs. Potocki and Wszelaki would deal with the Foreign Office participation in the question. The Embassy will not fail to keep in close touch with future developments, endeavoring, in accordance with the Department’s suggestion, to arrange discussions with officials of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce with a view to enlightening them with respect to the policy of the American Government and clarifying any points upon which they may not be fully informed and desire additional information. Further developments will be immediately reported to the Department as they occur.

Respectfully yours,

Sheldon Leavitt Crosby
  1. Copy of note No. 173, June 5, 1935, to the Polish Minister for Foreign Affairs, not printed.
  2. The concluding paragraph of note No. 173 contained the substance of the last two sentences of the first paragraph of instruction No. 185, May 12, to the Ambassador in Poland, p. 639.