760C.62/1036: Telegram

The President of Poland (Moscicki) to President Roosevelt

I highly appreciate the most important and noble message which Your Excellency was good enough to address to me.

I would like to emphasize that the Polish Government always considered direct negotiations between governments as the most appropriate method of solving difficulties which may arise between states. We consider this method all the more fitting when adopted between neighbouring countries. It was with this principle in view that Poland concluded pacts of non-aggression with Germany and the Union of Soviet Republics.

We consider likewise the method of conciliation through a third party as disinterested and impartial as Your Excellency to be a just and equitable method in the solution of controversies arising between nations.

While naturally wishing to avoid even the semblance of availing myself of this occasion to raise the points at issue I nevertheless consider it my duty to point out that in this crisis it is not Poland who is proffering any claims or demanding concessions from any other nation.

It is therefore only natural that Poland agrees to refrain from any positive act of hostility provided the other party also agrees to refrain from any such act direct or indirect.

In conclusion may I express my ardent wish that Your Excellency’s appeal for peace may contribute towards general appeasement which the people of the world so sorely need to return once more to the blessed path of progress and civilisation.

Ignacy Moscicki