Foreign Relations of the United States Diplomatic Papers, 1941, General, The Soviet Union, Volume I

860C.01/575: Telegram

The Ambassador to the Polish Government in Exile (Biddle) to the Secretary of State

London, July 6, 1941—1 p.m.
[Received July 6—11:42 a.m.]

Polish Series No. 27.

1. On July 4, British Foreign Minister Eden disclosed to General Sikorski his receipt of message from Russian Government⁸⁶ to following effect:

(a) the Russian Government intended: (1) to recognize National Committees to be composed of respectively Poles, Czechoslovaks and Yugoslavs now held prisoners in Russia; and (2) to release the Polish prisoners of war and to place them under direction of aforementioned Polish National Committee with view to latter’s forming them into units to serve with the Russian forces.

(b) The Russian Government moreover favored (1) the reestablishment of Poland, Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia; and (2) some form of federation of these states, the type of Government to be matter for the respective nationals to decide, the boundaries of an independent Poland to coincide with ethnographic considerations. It followed that some districts and towns occupied by the Russians would be returned to the Polish state. Moreover the Russian Government was willing to negotiate a treaty with General Sikorski for common defence against German aggression.

2. On delivering foregoing message to Mr. Eden Ambassador Maisky indicated his willingness to meet Polish authorities here. Meanwhile Sikorski told Eden Polish Government would enter negotiations on following conditions: (a) that Russia abrogate former agreements with Germany bearing on Poland; (b) recognition of Polish Government here and its authority to appoint any committee which might become necessary in Russia; (c) that further discussion of boundaries be deferred for the moment; (d) release of civilian as well as war prisoners.

3. At conference on July 6 [5] between Maisky, Sikorski, Polish Foreign Minister Zaleski and Alexander Cadogan,⁸⁷ Maisky said he would inform Russian Government of foregoing Polish conditions.

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Biddle

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86. See supra.
87. Sir Alexander Cadogan, British Permanent Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.