711.00 Pres. Speech, Oct. 5, 1937/57: Telegram
The Ambassador in Poland (Biddle) to the Secretary of State
[Received 9:10 p.m.]
120. Following impressions gained in long conversation at Foreign Office on general situation as affected by President’s Chicago speech.
- 1.
- In Polish opinion the United States is now and will continue to be a dominant factor in Atlantic civilization which extends west from Poland’s eastern frontier. As such all powers including Poland must give the most serious consideration to the effects of any attitude assumed by the United States.
- 2.
- Poland is forced to struggle constantly for the isolation and weakening of the Soviet Union which it regards as a constant and Powerful threat to the western political, social and economic system, In this struggle it cooperates [its cooperation?] with other similarly minded countries to change its policy towards Japan at the present time, which I am convinced is at the least benevolent, is based on this fundamental antagonism to Russia. Poland realizes and must take into consideration the fact that there are in the United States organized forces working constantly in opposition to the so-called fascist states which are anti-communist.
- 3.
- In first examination of President’s speech Poland is considering possible effects thereof on present close Anglo-French relations since England may tend to place less reliance in France if American-British [Page 138] cooperation is a real possibility. The weakening of present Anglo-French cooperation would have a profound effect on present European situation.
- 4.
- Smaller countries now flirting with Rome–Berlin Axis may reconsider position in light of President’s speech.
My personal impression at present stage is that the President’s statements came as a distinct and unpleasant shock to Poland which has hoped that Japan’s action in China would now or in a second stage operate to weaken Soviet Union and appreciably impair its influence in Europe. It likewise is inclined to consider that position of the “have nots”, of which it regards itself as one, has not been improved by what is now interpreted here as our support of states with colonial possessions and raw material monopolies.