Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1945, General: Political and Economic Matters, Volume II

800.4016 DP/8–445

The Secretary of State to the British Chargé (Balfour)

The Secretary of State presents his compliments to the British Chargé d’Affaires ad interim and, in referring to the British Embassy’s note of August 4, 1945, desires to make for the consideration of the British Government the following observations with respect to the maintenance and future repatriation of Polish displaced persons now in the American Zone in Germany.

1. The United States Government agrees in principle with the views of the British Government regarding the urgency of this matter and the importance of making as soon as possible with the Warsaw authorities orderly and fair arrangements which will enable displaced Poles to make their decision on repatriation without undue pressure, and with full knowledge of all the relevant factors. To this end, the United States Government is prepared to request the Polish Provisional Government of National Unity to appoint representatives to discuss with American and British representatives the best way of handling this problem in an orderly and expeditious manner. Such Tripartite discussions which would, of course, not affect in any way the status of those Poles who do not wish to return to Poland, might take place at Warsaw, or at some selected locality in the American or British zones in Germany.

2. The United States Government agrees that this subject is a matter for discussion between the three Governments directly concerned rather than for submission to the Allied Control Commission.

3. While the transfer of responsibility for Polish displaced persons from the existing Polish liaison officers to officers to be appointed by the Polish Provisional Government of National Unity has been approved by the United States Government, it is regarded as essential that before these new liaison officers establish, under American and British auspices, contact with Polish displaced persons and before any register for repatriation is instituted a statement should be issued by the Warsaw authorities setting forth clearly the conditions under which Poles would return to Poland. This statement might be circulated to Polish displaced persons by the combined Displaced Persons Executive (CDPX) or its successors the Allied Commanders in each zone. Thus without standing between the Polish Provisional Government of National Unity and its nationals in Germany, steps would be taken to insure that Polish displaced persons who have been cut off for many years from their homeland may not be forced to make an immediate decision in the absence of proper means to form a judgment. In this way many Poles who are undecided may be encouraged to return on the basis of the assurances contained in the statement.

Such procedure would be in full harmony with the statement of policy regarding Polish displaced persons set forth in the report of the Berlin Conference.

4. The Secretary of State will be pleased to instruct the American Ambassador at Warsaw to propose to the Polish Provisional Government that Tripartite discussions as outlined above be undertaken at the earliest possible date at Warsaw, or in some city in western Germany.

Washington, August 14, 1945.