760C.62/1196: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Kennedy) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 30—3:50 p.m.]
1324. Personal for the Secretary. My 1321, August 30, 5 p.m. The text of the British reply has been telegraphed to Ambassador Henderson at Berlin with instructions not to present it until he receives the word “go”. This it is expected will be sent later today. The reason for this delay is consultation with the French from whom, however, no objections to the British draft are anticipated. The text of the note has likewise been cabled to the British Ambassador at Washington for transmission to you90 and has been cabled to the British Ambassador at Warsaw.
A second telegram will be sent to the Ambassador at Warsaw91 referring to the British reply to Germany which the Ambassador is instructed to communicate to Colonel Beck. In doing so he is to [Page 391] point out that while the first part of the German Government’s reply consisted of an indefinite and misleading presentation of the German case, the really important part consists of Germany’s acceptance of the proposal for direct discussion, of the suggestion regarding the proposed international guarantee, and Germany’s assertion that she intended to respect Polish vital interests. The instruction to Warsaw further states that it is unnecessary at this stage to take exception to much that is included in the German reply of which the British Government would be as critical as it has no doubt the Polish Government is. They draw attention to the fact that the Germans had included in their reply the demand that a Polish plenipotentiary arrive in Berlin today and it is pointed out to Colonel Beck that he would see the British Government’s attitude to this clearly stated in the reply to Hitler. The German Government is now drafting its proposals and when these are received (for the German Government has promised to give them to the British) it will then be easier to decide how and when consultation might best be effected and negotiations carried on.
Colonel Beck will see from the British reply that proposals have been made for a military standstill during the discussions and the British Government earnestly hope that the Polish Government will have no objection. Ambassador Kennard is requested to secure urgently a statement of the Polish views and in view of the Polish Government’s authorization to the British Government to say that Poland would be prepared to enter into direct discussions with Germany, the British Government hopes that, provided the method and general arrangements for the discussions can be satisfactorily agreed upon, the Polish Government will be prepared without delay to indicate its own readiness. It is most important to bear in mind the internal situation in Germany and world opinion. In view of the fact that the German Government has professed itself ready to negotiate, it should not be given any opportunity to place the blame for declining direct negotiations on Poland. Ambassador Kennard is told to emphasize to Colonel Beck that the British Government has made quite clear to Herr Hitler its irrevocable determination to implement its obligations without reserve and that there is no misunderstanding on that score in Berlin. The position of the Polish Government is very different from what it was last March since now it is supported both by a direct British guarantee and by the British undertaking to participate in any guarantee of a settlement which might be reached. All the conversations will be carried on against this background. Another consideration present in the minds of the British is that according to information it has received from Berlin there is reason to suppose that the German Government’s demands do not represent Hitler’s last undertaking. On the other hand, [Poland’s] refusal to negotiate [Page 392] would merely serve to fortify the forces in Germany which are working for war and enable Hitler to place the onus of a breakdown on Poland.