760C.62/477: Telegram
The Ambassador in Poland (Biddle) to the Secretary of State
[Received 3:08 p.m.]
55. 1. Beck remarked following in last night’s lengthy conversation: Poland’s mobilization had been a dignified, polite but firm answer to certain suggestions made by Berlin71 which the Polish Government feared might only represent forerunner of further demands and an eventual ultimatum. So far no ultimatum had been received. Poland was open to conciliation looking to an equitable solution but not open to a solution imposed by intimidation. The Government felt, however, that even if equitable conciliation of current differences were accomplished Poland under current day circumstances would have to maintain her present status of mobilization at least until cessation of the international danger.
2. I interpret current situation in the following light: (a) Berlin is power drunk, unaccustomed to resistance and the extremists are pressing Hitler to bring about a quick annexation of Danzig and Poland’s agreement to allow permanent right of ways over Corridor all of which tends to make Berlin more than ordinarily “prestige conscious”, (b) Marshal Smigly-Rydz72 imparted he had gained more than an impression that Berlin is seeking to provoke a war with Poland. The present firm stand by the Polish Government enjoys the consolidated support of the people. Even if under the heading of conciliation the Polish Government conceded Danzig, for example, current mass courage and determination might conceivably give way to defeatism—and even cause the Government’s or at least Beck’s downfall, (c) In my opinion about only formula which might conceivably prove a solution would be Berlin’s willingness to accept and Warsaw’s willingness to grant a promise eventually to concede (1) modification in Danzig’s status and (2) a single right of way (but not extraterritorial) over the Corridor provided Berlin agreed to defer further discussions thereon at least until present grave tension subsided.