Office of the Historian

033.60C11/45: Telegram

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

Washington, September 26, 1942—7 p.m.

Polish Series No. 26. Reference your letter September 275 relative to invitation extended to General Sikorski to speak at a Polish-American meeting, Chicago, on October 16.

After careful consideration of General Sikorski’s kind offer of support, the President in a letter dated September 23 to you75 states that it is with the deepest regret that he ventures to suggest that General Sikorski postpone his visit since we have such overwhelming support of the people in the prosecution of the war that it is not deemed necessary at this time to take advantage of the valued offer of cooperation by General Sikorski.76 The President further indicates that he is deeply appreciative of the generous offer made by General Sikorski and the fine spirit which prompted it but for the reasons indicated above he does not feel he can accept the offer at this time.

Since the receipt of this letter may be delayed and because of the short time before the proposed departure of General Sikorski you may care, in your discretion, to indicate to him the reasons why it is felt that it would not be opportune to accept the invitation extended to speak at Chicago.

Hull
  1. Not printed.↩
  2. Not printed.↩
  3. In his letter of September 2, Ambassador Biddle stated that General Sikorski’s “idea would be to rally Polish-American support behind the President’s ‘banner’ in the forth-coming elections, treating the matter, however, in broadest terms and avoiding any possible interpretation that he might be delving in internal politics.” Under Secretary of State Welles noted on September 14 that “The President does not require speeches from Sikorski to obtain Polish-American support. He already has it.”↩