760C.61/1023: Telegram
The Ambassador to the Polish Government in Exile (Biddle) to the Secretary of State
[Received 8:33 p.m.]
Polish Series [No.] 17. My No. 16, April 17, 6 p.m. Sikorski states that in recent conversation, Mr. Churchill indicated willingness to lend his good offices at an appropriate moment in an effort to strengthen Ambassador Romer’s hand in his current conversations with the Soviet authorities; that Mr. Churchill would immediately consider the form this support should take.
Sikorski also gained the impression that in this connection Mr. Churchill intended to consult the President with perhaps even a view to ascertaining our willingness to take like steps. Sikorski earnestly hoped we might see our way clear to lend our support in this matter, for he felt confident as to the effectiveness of such a move. Moreover, he felt that in considering the timing of any move which we or the British might make in the matter, it was well to bear in mind that the situation was going rapidly from bad to worse.
As to what he hoped to attain in the current talks with the Soviet authorities, the following were respectively his maximum and minimum: (a) Withdrawal of the Soviet note of January 16 last; or, in event of the Soviet Government’s refusal to consider this point, (b) evacuation of largest possible number of families and children of the various categories, and the direction of relief and welfare of the Poles remaining either by the Polish welfare organization or by an international body.
[Page 381]Mr. Churchill’s reported expression of willingness to lend his good offices was given before the Polish action of issuing the communiqué referred to in my 16 of April 17, 6 p.m.