760C.61/986
President Roosevelt to the Ambassador to the Polish Government in Exile (Biddle), at London
Dear Tony: Thank you very much for your letter of August 1263 and its attached memorandum64 of your conversation with General Sikorski regarding the alleged discrimination against Polish citizens by the Soviet authorities.
I have learned from the Department of State that similar allegations have been made by the Polish Ambassadors in Washington and Kuibyshev and while it is believed that there may be considerable truth to the allegations, no direct confirmation has been received from other sources.
In regard to General Sikorski’s request that the question of according equal treatment to Polish Jews in the USSR be taken up with Mr. Stalin, I agree with your suggestion that, in view of the general deterioration of Polish-Soviet relations during the past months, it [Page 184] would be more politic to limit such an appeal to the general question of bringing about an improvement in these relations rather than citing too many specific problems. In this way, if our efforts to bring about a better basis of understanding and cooperation between the two Governments are successful, specific problems may then be discussed if the facts so warrant.
In this connection, you will be interested to learn that on the basis of urgent appeals made by the Polish Government I again Asked Admiral Standley on August 19, in his discretion, to bring up the question of Polish-Soviet relations with the Soviet authorities and express the hope of the United States Government that no avenue will remain unexplored which might lead to a solution of these problems satisfactory to both the Soviet Union and Poland.
Furthermore, I have Asked Mr. Willkie, after consultation with Admiral Standley, to express to Mr. Stalin the hope of this Government that an improvement in Polish-Soviet relations may be effected.
With every good wish, I am
Very sincerely yours,