860C.51/1505
Memorandum by the Secretary of State to President Roosevelt
I need not recount the important and varied activity being sustained by the Polish Government in exile in the military, the intelligence (including sabotage) and propaganda fields.
For these purposes and for the maintenance of their skeleton diplomatic establishments, the Polish Government has used up virtually all its funds.
Consequent upon discussions which I understand took place between yourself and the Foreign Minister, 2½ million dollars was advanced to them out of Executive funds. These have now been spent. The Polish Ambassador has made repeated urgent appeals for further assistance, declaring that they absolutely require it if the Polish activity is not seriously to decline.
Some months back, the idea prevailed of seeking legislation from Congress appropriating funds for the assistance of various European exiled governments for use in their fight against the Axis.83 Actual legislation of that kind was in fact prepared and is now in the hands of the Bureau of the Budget. It was apparently decided, however, that the moment was not favorable for trying to secure such legislation.
If this decision is still sustained, the only other source would appear to be further allocation of Executive funds. The Polish Ambassador is asking for 5 million dollars, and is eagerly pressing his inquiries. I thoroughly recommend that such financial assistance be given if the funds are or can be made available.
I understand that the British Government is making similar advances of a substantial amount.
The Polish authorities are agreeable to giving us a detailed account of their expenditures out of any funds granted—if we so desire.84
- An agreement on the “Principles Applying to Mutual Aid in the Prosecution of the War Against Aggression” (Lend-Lease Agreement) between the Governments of the United States and Poland, negotiated under the Lend-Lease Act of March 11, 1941 (55 Stat. 31), was signed at Washington on July 1, 1942. For text, see Department of State Executive Agreement Series No. 257, or 56 Stat. (pt. 2) 1542. It was also printed in the Department of State Bulletin, July 4, 1942, p. 577.↩
- The President sent the following memorandum of October 3, 1942, to the Secretary of State: “I agree that we should allot further executive funds for the maintenance of the Polish Government in this country. However, I think that we should caution them against any extravagance and limit them very definitely to absolute necessities. I would, therefore, agree to the allocation of another two and a half millions from my fund, but I would like to know how long they expect it to last. FDR”↩