860C.01/3–1045: Telegram
The Chargé to the Polish Government in Exile (Schoenfeld) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 10—6:05 p.m.]
Polish Series 36. At his request I saw Sir Orme Sargent3 this noon. Christopher Warner4 was also present. We discussed the question of a possible British approach to Mikolajczyk (your 1822, March 9, 11 p.m.5) similar to that contemplated by your Polish Series 7, March 9, 9 [8] p.m. Gallman6 had previously discussed the matter with Sargent.
The latter said that on March 6, Clark Kerr had sent a similar telegram. The Foreign Office had thus far taken no action. Sargent seemed skeptical as to the value of such an approach.
During the conversation I read our suggestion that Mikolajczyk “might for example state unequivocally that he accepts the Crimea agreement as a basis for discussion and is therefore quite prepared to proceed to Moscow to take part in the consultations there”.
[Page 155]Sargent recalled that Mikolajczyk had indicated willingness to go to Moscow subject to certain conditions (my Polish Series 25 to Department and 68 to Moscow February 24, 10 p.m.). Sargent regarded those conditions as quite reasonable. In view of those conditions he doubted whether Mikolajczyk could be asked to state publicly that he was “quite prepared to proceed to Moscow”. He likewise questioned whether such a statement would be generally advantageous.
Sargent thought it might be possible to consider a statement along the lines of the first part of our above quoted suggestion i.e. acceptance of the Crimea Agreement as a basis for discussion. Warner said the Foreign Office would naturally wish to go along with the Department but he did not think they would wish to press Mikolajczyk to make a statement.
Sargent said that thus far the Russians had not accepted any of the persons on the British and American lists. As he recalled they had included only one aged professor who had been suggested for the “presidential council”. Warner said that if the Russians did not want Mikolajczyk they would find three or four other excuses. Both Sargent and Warner agreed that it was of great importance that Mikolajczyk should be invited. Sargent thought that for British opinion Mikolajczyk’s presence would count for 90%.
In view of the large political implications Sargent said he would discuss the matter with Mr. Eden and would communicate with me again. Mikolajczyk is out of town at the moment. If Mr. Eden should take a negative view regarding a British approach in this matter does the Department desire me to approach Mikolajczyk notwithstanding?
- Superintending Under Secretary of State of the Northern Department of the British Foreign Office.↩
- Head of the Northern Department of the British Foreign Office.↩
- Not printed; it stated that the matter of an approach to Mikolajczyk regarding a public statement should be taken up with the British Foreign Office before Schoenfeld acted on his instructions (860C.01/3–945).↩
- Waldemar J. Gallman, Counselor of Embassy at London.↩