Office of the Historian

760C.62/1139: Telegram

The Ambassador in Poland (Biddle) to the Secretary of State

Warsaw, August 28, 1939—10 p.m.
[Received August 29—4:20 a.m.]

222. For the President and the Secretary.

1.
Further conversation with leading officials reveals that:
(a)
Review of Balkan situation prompted their conclusion that conditions in that area were favorable to anti-aggression front. There were (1) increasing signs of improvement in Hungarian-Roumanian relations, (2) definite improvement in Hungarian-Yugoslav relations, and (3) improvement in Bulgaria’s attitude under good influence of Yugoslavia which had markedly benefitted by recent internal consolidation.
(b)
They had reason to look for Hungary to declare neutrality at the outset of any hostilities.
2.
While I am aware these are crucial hours made doubly grave by fact peace depends upon decision of one man I do not exclude possibility that solidity and firmness of anti-aggression front and other forces which would be against him such as Italy’s wobbly position and Japan’s recalcitrance might keep Hitler in a state of indecision. In such case it is not inconceivable that he might go right to the brink of war without taking fatal leap. Moreover, should Europe pull through next several days without war it is conceivable to my mind that anti-aggression front might develop assertive attitude to the point, perhaps even to demanding disarmament, et cetera, in series of what might virtually amount to ultimatums but disguised in formulae sufficiently discreet to save Hitler’s face.
Biddle