760C. 62/1210: Telegram
The Chargé in Germany (Kirk) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 31—12:22 a.m.]
964. My 958, August 30, 2 p.m. Henderson saw Ribbentrop at midnight and delivered to him the British reply to Hitler’s statement. [Page 393] I understand that this reply repeated the gratification of the British Government that the German Government agreed to negotiate but suggested that in view of the fact that the time stipulated did not suffice for a Polish negotiator to reach Berlin the bases for the proposed negotiation be presented to the Polish Ambassador in Berlin for submission to his Government. I understand further that Henderson asked Ribbentrop to give him a statement of the proposed bases for negotiation and that the latter after at first refusing to do so on the excuse that it was after midnight of the day during which the Polish negotiator should have presented himself, finally read a statement but in so hurried a manner that the British Ambassador was unable to grasp the contents and Ribbentrop refused to furnish the Ambassador with a copy thereof. Henderson urged upon Ribbentrop to give the proposals to the Polish Ambassador but Ribbentrop stated that he would not send for the Ambassador although he intimated that he would receive Lipski if he asked for an interview. Henderson left the interview with the impression that a deadlock had been reached and that the gravest consequences might be expected.