740.0011 European War, 1939/29: Telegram
The Chargé in Germany (Kirk) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 1—2:30 p.m.]
991. My 987, September 1, 3 p.m. I have just seen the British Ambassador. He says that, if the Polish Government had agreed to direct negotiations and had appointed a plenipotentiary, precipitate action by Germany might have been prevented or at least delayed. The statement made by the Polish Ambassador to Ribbentrop last night (see my 974, August 31, 7 p.m.3) was not in Henderson’s opinion sufficiently comprehensive but it was clear that following its delivery the allegation subsequently published by the German Government to the effect that the Polish Government had refused direct negotiations was erroneous and Henderson suspected that Ribbentrop had maneuvered this play.
Henderson said that he had suggested to his Government a conference between Rydz-Smigly4 and Goering but feared that such a move would be too late and had just informed his Government that he believed that the only hope lay in the clear manifestation of an inflexible attitude on the part of Great Britain.
Drafted 4 p.m.