740.00116 European War 1939/79
The Polish Ambassador (Potocki) to the Secretary of State
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that the German forces are resorting to methodical bombing of open cities and villages throughout Poland even far beyond the fighting line. It is evident that the above is aimed at the paralyzing and disruption of normal life of the civilian population. In many instances the bombing and machine gunning was made from planes at a very low altitude and directed at centers of inhabited localities, causing countless deaths of the defenseless population. Incendiary bombs have been used repeatedly in such a way which made it impossible to bring help and assistance.
The Polish Government informed the representatives of foreign countries of the above and filed with the Government of the Netherlands, as representing the German interests in Poland, an official [Page 554] protest stating that Germany has broken the assurance given to the Government of the United States in its reply to President Roosevelt’s appeal of September 3, 1939.
Accept [etc.]