760C.62/1212: Telegram
The Ambassador in Poland (Biddle) to the Secretary of State
Warsaw, August 30,
1939—5 p.m.
[Received 7:30 p.m.]
[Received 7:30 p.m.]
234. For the President and the Secretary.
- 1.
- Beck has just earnestly emphasized that while last night’s postponement of general mobilization went deeply against the grain, especially in view of Germany’s continued large scale occupation of Slovakia, he and his associates, after careful consideration, decided to accept London’s plea in order to give added proof that either or both London and Paris could count upon Poland as an ally under any circumstances.
- 2.
- Beck and his associates labeled Hitler’s demands (transmitted to London) attempted gangster extortion to which they would say 40 times “no,” for to accept them would hasten the ultimate destruction of Poland.
- 3.
- Beck and associates as well as general public notably calm and resolute.
Biddle