Hopkins Papers
The Polish Ambassador in the United States
(Ciechanowski) to the
Presidents Special Assistant (Hopkins)
personal—urgent
Washington,
December 23,
1941.
Dear Mr. Hopkins, With reference to our
very personal conversation, I should like to add that I have thought
the situation over and have come to the following conclusions:
In the direct interest of all our nations concerned and of the
unprecedented prestige and unique position of The President and of
Mr. Churchill in the eyes of the entire world today, but especially
in view of the German reverse in Russia, and the internal crisis in
Germany,—it is really essential that some formal outward visible
proof of the absolute and close collaboration in this conference of
all cobelligerent nations, regardless of their immediate importance
in the struggle and of their size, should be given to the world at
large now during the opening stage of the
conversations and also before the end of the
conference.1
This might perhaps be done by inviting the Representatives of the
countries concerned to the White House for a short session during
which The President would briefly address them, informing them of
the scope of the conference, assuring that each country will be
admitted to have its say if and when questions directly interesting
it will be discussed, and that all will be asked to participate in
any final arrangement regarding solidarity of action in this
war.
[Page 363]
In my opinion, such a meeting should be photographed and widely
publicized here and abroad.
Please forgive me for so direct a suggestion, but I feel that the
importance of the present conference should be fully taken advantage
of in order to stress the genuineness of the principles which we
have declared we are fighting for, to maintain and raise the morale
in the occupied countries so essential to subversive warfare, especially in Poland in view of the Russian
advance westwards.2
I believe that in this way the fullest advantage could be taken of
this most psychological moment.
In venturing to make this suggestion I do so with the firm conviction
that it is directly in the interest of the prestige of this
country.
Yours very sincerely,
[Enclosure]
Memorandum Concerning the Participation of
Poland in the Planning of the Joint Prosecution of the
War
In view of the conversations about to take place in Washington
between The President and the British Prime Minister on matters
relating to the joint conduct of the war against the Axis Powers
and the definition of the relationship between the United
States, Great Britain, Poland, China, the U. S. S. R. and other
nations likewise engaged in the war against the Axis Powers—The
Polish Ambassador has been instructed by the Polish Prime
Minister General Sikorski, at present on his return journey from
Russia to London, to request for Poland participation in the
discussion and conclusion of any eventual arrangement between
the United States, Great Britain and her Allies and the U. S. S.
R. concerning the establishment of joint collaboration as
cobelligerents in the war. This request is based on the
following considerations:
- 1)
- Poland is an Ally of Great Britain, by virtue of a
Treaty of Alliance signed in London on August 25th,
1939.
- 2)
- Poland was the first country to offer armed resistance
against the German aggression of September 1, 1939, and
since that time her national army, her navy, her air
force as well as her mercantile fleet have never ceased
to fight on land, on sea and in the air for the defeat
of Hitlerism throughout the world.
- 3)
- The Polish Nation in Poland unanimously resists the
invader both actively and passively, regardless of
terrorism and inhuman oppression which have never
succeeded in breaking its spirit of resistance. The
subversive warfare conducted by Polish organizations has
been continuous and is becoming ever more
effective.
- 4)
- At the present time the Polish Government is forming
an army of about seven divisions under Polish Command in
Russia. In addition 25,000 Polish soldiers from Russia
are shortly to strengthen the
[Page 364]
Polish Armed Forces in Scotland
and in the Near East, as well as the Polish Air Force
and the Polish Navy.
- 5)
- Poland declared the existence of a state of war with
Japan on December 11, 1941.
- 6)
- The Polish-Soviet declaration of Friendship and Mutual
Assistance signed by Prime Minister General Sikorski and
Prime Minister Stalin on the 4th of December 1941,
establishes the principles of full active military
collaboration between them during the war and the
existence of good neighborly collaboration and
friendship and mutual observance of undertakings
assumed—after the war.
- 7)
- The Polish-British Alliance and the recent formally
established collaboration between Poland and Soviet
Russia would appear to make the full participation of
Poland in a jointly established agreement of
collaboration between the United States, Great Britain
with her Allies, and Soviet Russia a natural
consequence.
Through its fighting spirit and resistance and the subversive
warfare which it carries on, the Polish Nation in Poland has
been and continues to be, an important active factor of the
joint war effort.
The maintenance of the high degree of morale of this population
is therefore of utmost necessity.
To all Poles, whether in or outside Poland, in Russia or in other
countries, the persons of The President of the United States and
of the British Prime Minister are the living guarantees of
justice and equity.
It is hardly necessary to add that five million loyal American
citizens of Polish origin feel likewise in regard to Poland’s
future.
The full participation of Poland as a co-belligerent in the
partnership about to be established between the United States
and the other Democracies fighting in this war, appears
therefore of primary importance to all concerned.
Washington,
December
22, 1941.
