740.0011 European War
1939/27001a
The Under Secretary of State (Welles) to President Roosevelt
Washington, January 5,
1943.
My Dear Mr. President: When the Prime
Minister of Poland had lunch with you he asked that you let him have
before he left the United States a letter from you indicating your
desire that Poland be reconstituted. You said that you would give
him such a letter.
I am submitting herewith a suggested letter from you to be given to
General Sikorski. The Secretary of State has read and approves this
letter but suggests that the letter should be regarded as
confidential.
General Sikorski is planning to leave Washington on his way back to
London Thursday night.13 If this letter is satisfactory to you, will you sign
it and have it sent to me so that I may give it to General Sikorski
before he leaves the city.
Believe me
Faithfully yours,
[Enclosure]
Draft Letter From President Roosevelt to the Polish Prime
Minister (Sikorski)14
My Dear Mr. Prime Minister: Prior to
your departure from the United States I wish to express to Your
Excellency my appreciation for your courtesy in affording me the
opportunity of discussing again with you the many complex
problems relating to the prosecution of the war against the
common enemy. It has been a source of great satisfaction to me
that we have been able to discuss with complete frankness and
sincerity not only these problems, but also the equally vital
questions which will arise following the achievement of victory.
You have outlined to me in full detail the views of your
Government concerning the organization of the future Polish
state and its role in the European community of nations.
In an effort to build a solid foundation for a lasting peace in
eastern Europe based upon careful considerations of political,
ethnic, and economic factors, the United States Government
desires to encourage the countries of Eastern Europe to continue
to make careful studies of their mutual problems to determine
points of agreement and disagreement in order that they may be
in a position to present a plan under which lasting
relationships would be assured. The United States Government
would then be prepared to participate in efforts to reach
[Page 320]
a constructive and
final solution of the Eastern European problem within the
framework of a general world settlement.
I need hardly assure you of the determination of the United
States Government that Poland be reestablished. This is implicit
in Article 3 of the Atlantic Charter and the Declaration of the
United Nations.15 The
views of this Government moreover reflect the warm sympathy
which the American people have always felt toward the people of
Poland in their age-long struggle freely to organize their
national life.
The magnificent and continuing resistance of the Polish armed
forces and people to the German enemy in occupation of their
country, and the Polish contribution to the prosecution of the
war testify to the inextinguishable vitality of the Polish
nation and constitute the best guarantee for the re-emergence of
a strong and independent Poland.
Believe me
Yours very sincerely,
