760C.61/985: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 1—12:10 a.m.]
4864. For Harriman55 from Reed.56 Dr. Retinger called this afternoon to request that in view of conversation between Churchill and Sikorski yesterday, the following message be transmitted to you from Sikorski.
Paraphrase follows:
“In yesterday’s long conversation with General Sikorski, Premier Churchill assured him of complete support for Polish claims in Russia. British Government will give complete backing to any initiative of President Roosevelt’s appealing to Stalin directly regarding release of Polish Embassy delegates, as well as reestablishment of a scheme providing to Polish citizens on Soviet territory adequate protection. When Eastern front situation improves and Britain is then able provide more effective help, British Government will press forward the remaining claims of Poles. Complete understanding exists between both Premiers on all questions on the matter of Polish Soviet relations. Your support to all such schemes would be greatly appreciated by General Sikorski, and in view of conversation you had on telephone with Dr. Retinger prior to your departure Retinger hopes you will be able to give it. Also General Sikorski asks that you lend your good offices in connection with the problems of thousands of magistrates and Polish officers who are supposed to have been deported to islands in the Arctic. In the names of the wives and daughters of those men, Madame Sikorski has addressed Mrs. Roosevelt a letter asking for her help in the matter in the belief that the moral authority of the First Lady of America, when all other persuasion failed, would be able to [Page 178] save them and thus add to official diplomacy a humanitarian aspect so needed in present world politics.”
- [Reed]
- Winant