860C.20/86: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Steinhardt) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 6—6 p.m.]
1635. The new Polish Ambassador on the occasion of his first visit to me this afternoon confirmed General Anders’ statements (see my [Page 251] 1611, September 2, 6 p.m.8) that the Soviet authorities had expressed their inability to provide arms for more than 2 Polish divisions and that the British are furnishing uniforms and equipment (of a nonmilitary nature) for 60,000 men. He said that the 3rd division was already being organized and that judging by the rate at which Polish citizens of military age are leaving [being] released and assembled he had little doubt that 5 divisions will be available within the next 2 weeks.
The Ambassador then inquired what was the best method to obtain American arms for the other 3 divisions. I suggested that the correct procedure would be for his Government in London to instruct the Polish Ambassador at Washington to take up the matter with the Department of State and he said he would follow this procedure. I told him that I would report his intention to the Department.
- Not printed.↩