860C.4016/470
Memorandum by the Secretary of State
The Polish Ambassador44 came in, having just returned from a few weeks’ visit to Poland. He said he desired to acquaint me with some of his observations while on his trip. He went on to say that economic conditions have very much improved in Poland; that political conditions are somewhat more stabilized; that it is not thought that there will soon be war in Europe; that they do have the Jewish problem in Poland, in a more acute form, in that it is now a part of an anti-Semitic movement in addition to the original economic cause; that, unusual as it is, the movement against the Jews this time seemed to start among the lower classes and rural persons, who are seeking to come into the towns and cities and take over that commerce with which the Jews are more or less connected; that much thought is being given to the question of some emigration of Jews to suitable settlements elsewhere; that this is true, notwithstanding the Jews have been natives of Poland for many centuries; and that he, the Ambassador, has contacts with leading Jews in this country, including such persons as Mr. Warburg45 and Mr. Baruch,46 with whom he consults from time to time; that he expects to confer with Mr. Baruch tomorrow (Saturday).
The Ambassador said that he stopped in Berlin and Paris and had had talks with the two United States Ambassadors;47 that the Germans really desire to reach a position of understanding and friendliness with the British; that they, of course, have not sufficient foodstuffs and raw materials. He said Ambassador Bullitt stated to him that conditions in France were sound and all that was needed was some group or individual to take hold of the situation, carry it forward and develop it.
The Ambassador concluded by saying that Poland, to a most noticeable extent, is looking to the United States for leadership, in Europe as well as throughout the world, and has confidence that such leadership with a program will be forthcoming when the time is ripe; that the people of Poland are reading the utterances of the President and myself and associates to a surprising extent and are gradually embracing the views thus expressed.