760C.62/784: Telegram
The Ambassador in Poland (Biddle) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 11—3 a.m.]
163. 1. Following is our translation of French text (a) of note Wilhelmstrasse handed Polish Chargé d’Affaires at Berlin yesterday and (b) Polish reply thereto handed German Chargé d’Affaires here at 4 p.m., today (which were handed me by Beck tonight and should be regarded as confidential until released by either party):
“The German Government had learned with great astonishment the tenor of the note of the Polish Government to the Senate of the Free City of Danzig by which the Polish Government demanded in the form of an ultimatum the annulment of a so-called measure the existence of which was based upon unfounded rumors. That measure which was supposed to prevent the activity of Polish customs inspectors in reality had not been drawn up by the Senate. In the case of a refusal there was the threat of the application of measures of reprisal.
The German Government finds itself obliged to draw attention to the fact that a repetition of such demands in the form of an ultimatum addressed to the Free City of Danzig as well as threats of reprisals might lead to an aggravation of Polish-German relations the responsibility for which would rest solely upon the Polish Government, [Page 210] the German Government being obliged to refuse from this moment all responsibility in that regard.
Further the German Government draws the attention of the Polish Government to the fact that the measures taken by it to prevent the exportation of certain merchandise from Danzig to Poland are liable to cause the population of Danzig heavy economic losses.
If the Polish Government persists in maintaining this attitude the German Government is of the opinion that in the present circumstances the only recourse of the Free City would be to look for other possibilities of exportation and hemispheres of importation.”
Following is Polish reply:
“The Government of the republic of Poland has noted with the greatest surprise the declaration made on August 9, 1939, by the Secretary of State of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Reich to the Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of Poland in Berlin regarding the relations existing between Poland and the Free City of Danzig. The Polish Government does not perceive, in effect, any juridical basis of justifying an intervention by Germany in the said relations.
If exchanges of views have been able to succeed on the subject of the problem of Danzig between the Polish Government and the Government of the Reich, these had as sole foundation the good will of the Polish Government and did not proceed from any obligation whatsoever.
In reply to the said declaration of the Reich Government the Polish Government is obliged to apprise the Government of the Reich that it will react in the future, as until now, with regard to any attempt of the authorities of the Free City which would tend to compromise the rights and interests which Poland possesses there—by virtue of her agreements—with the aid of means and measures which it alone will judge appropriate to adopt and that it will regard eventual interventions by the Government of the Reich to the detriment of these rights and interests as an act of aggression.”
2. In handing me copies of the above notes Beck said that since thus far Berlin had not published contents Warsaw refrained therefrom. I am aware Beck and associates, many of whom are dining with me tonight, regard the last report as grave. In fact Beck is inclined to feel note may either be (a) aimed for benefit of home consumption; or (b) a prelude to definite action in support of Danzig claims or both. Moreover Beck said that inasmuch as Berlin’s note is result of 5 days’ deliberation since Warsaw’s sharp counter-warning to Danzig the situation assumes a graver aspect. It is highly significant that Berlin has thus openly revealed itself as directing Danzig policy in the present crisis.