Foreign Relations of the United States, Diplomatic Papers, 1939, General, Volume I

860k.01/133: Telegram

The Ambassador in Poland (Biddle) to the Secretary of State

Warsaw, March 26, 1939—1 p.m.
[Received 2:06 p.m.]

50. For the President and the Secretary. Referring to my No. 49, March 25.

1. Poland today on war footing having achieved same swiftly but quietly. Attitude of people calm but determined to defend Poland’s integrity to last man.

2. Situation grave and at mercy both of frontier and political incidents.

3. Poland, however, has thus spoken quietly but firmly language Berlin understands and might even conceivably swallow provided Berlin’s prestige were not jeopardized by public knowledge that Poland’s mobilization represented more Poland’s challenge to Berlin’s pressure over Danzig issue (see paragraph 1, my telegram No. 49, March 25th) than general precautionary measures.

Biddle