740.0011 European War 1939/8–1644
Memorandum by the Secretary of State to President Roosevelt
You will have seen Harriman’s telegrams 3000 and 3002 of August 15 that the Soviet Government has apparently reversed its promise given by Stalin to Mikolajczyk to assist the Polish Underground in Warsaw and has even expressed its disapproval of any attempts by the British or ourselves to send such aid. The arguments advanced by Vyshinsky in his letter to Harriman and in a subsequent conversation with Harriman and the British Ambassador were of such a nature as to lead Harriman to the conclusion that the present Soviet attitude can only be explained on the grounds of ruthless political considerations.
I believe for a number of considerations that it is impossible for us or the British to abandon to their fate the Polish Underground forces which are actively fighting the Nazi invaders of their country simply because such action might not accord with Soviet political aims.
We have also received an urgent request from the British Government that Harriman be authorized to associate himself with the British Ambassador in making representations to Stalin or, if he cannot be seen, to Molotov urging the Soviet Government to reconsider its attitude on the question of using the shuttle bombing arrangements. There is attached for your approval draft telegraphic instructions91 to Harriman authorizing him to associate himself with the British Ambassador in this request and at the same time instructing him to inform Stalin or Molotov that even if the Soviet Government does not find it possible to cooperate in bringing aid to the Polish Underground that we and the British intend in so far as practicable to furnish such aid on the grounds of our clear obligation to aid any forces of the United Nations which are engaged in fighting the Germans.