860C.01/8–1044: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Harriman) to the Secretary of State
[Received 3:30 p.m.]
2922. For the Secretary and the President. I received at midnight last night a note from the Polish Committee of National Liberation dated August 9 and signed by S. Verrlovski,2 delegate of the Committee, [Page 1431] requesting me to transmit to the President a letter from the Committee. I am not acknowledging the Committee’s note and shall not do so unless instructed to do so by the Department.
The letter to the President is dated August 8 and reads in paraphrased translation from the Russian as follows:
“To The President of The United States, Mr. Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
Dear Mr. President: Animated by a strong desire to strengthen unity and common understanding between the United Nations, the Polish Committee of National Liberation, which is directing the civil administration in the liberated regions of Poland, is organizing a section for Foreign Affairs from which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the future government of Poland will be formed. In view of the danger that the Polish situation may lead to discord and misunderstanding among the United Nations, we wish that the section of Foreign Affairs be headed by a man who enjoys the sympathy of all the United Nations and whose authority is recognized in the Soviet Union, Great Britain, the United States and Poland. Mr. Oscar Lange is such a man. He is a professor at the University of Chicago. He was a lecturer at one time at the Polish University at Cracow. He has a unique international position and his services are irreplaceable not only for Poland but for friendly relations between the United Nations.
Professor Lange, so far as we are aware, is a citizen of the United States at the present time. We, therefore, are of the opinion that we should not approach him directly until we have spoken to you in advance concerning our desires in this respect. We know that American citizens highly prize the great privilege of American citizenship. Professor Lange’s participation in the Polish Committee of Liberation would therefore entail very heavy sacrifices for him. However, we believe that he would be prepared to undergo these sacrifices in the interests of United Nations unity.
We would deeply appreciate it, in view of the present situation, if you would support us in our desires and help us dispel any doubts which might arise in Professor Lange’s mind in connection with the compatibility toward the United States his second fatherland. We would also be grateful if you would assist in facilitating Professor Lange’s trip to Poland.
It is our opinion that the fact that the Foreign Affairs of the Polish Committee of National Liberation should be headed by a man who has lived in the United States for a long time and who has decided to take out American citizenship should be a guarantee of the permanent friendship between Poland and the United States and should make Poland a binding link in the friendship among the United Nations.
Respectfully yours, the Polish Committee of National Liberation” (Signed by President E. B. Osubka-Morawski, Vice President W. Wasilewskaya, Vice President A. Witos).
True reading of Embassy’s translation by airmail.3