560C.20/11–2845: Telegram
The Ambassador in Poland (Lane) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 29—12:35 p.m.]
612. Although we had suspected previously that returning Poles would be terrorized on arrival in Poland the info contained in mytel 609, November 28, 11 p.m. [a.m.] is the first of a concrete nature which we have received. It is probably now too late to take action with respect to displaced Poles in our zone of occupation as it would appear from my informants that all or almost all Poles there who desired to be repatriated have returned to Poland. I believe, however, there are still some 13,000 Polish troops under US Army control in Italy for whose safety we have a responsibility.
While the Polish authorities have expressed resentment, at least in the case of the return of Polish troops under British control in UK, when asked to give guarantees that Poles repatriated will have personal liberty equal to that of any other Pole, I strongly feel that we are now justified in the light of the evidence (which for the safety of my informants must be kept top secret until they have terminated their mission and left Polish territory) to require of Polish authorities an undertaking that returning Poles will not be molested and will enjoy as complete liberty as any Pole already in Poland. The terms of such an undertaking if communicated orally by our authorities to each Pole about to return would have the effect of warning them of the danger which repatriation today entails and would relieve us of the charge, however unjustified, that we are in collusion with the Polish Security Police and NKVD in their terroristic activities.
In confidential and general discussion of above today with British Ambassador his attitude was “let’s see what happens to 14,000 Polish troops” in Italy under British control when they return to Poland with their arms. Bentinck said that only this number out of 200,000 (including Poles from Middle East) had volunteered to return. I differ with this “let’s see” attitude, as once troops arrive in Poland it will probably be too late for anyone to help them and I feel that we have a moral responsibility to those under our control. (Bentinck says Polish DP’s from British zone arrived in Stettin and Gdynia only).
[Page 422]Because of highly secret nature of info on which above is based I have not repeated this telegram to Rome feeling that Department may first desire to discuss with War Department action to be taken.
Should Department feel it inadvisable to suggest to War Department that instructions be issued to our Commander in Italy, I recommend that I be authorized to convey to Polish Government the serious view which our Government takes of terrorist methods and that Professor Lange98 be so advised. Lange as a self-avowed liberal will find difficulty in condoning such steps.
- Oscar Lange, Polish Ambassador Designate to the United States. A Pole by birth and a professor of economics, Lange came to the United States in 1934 and was naturalized in 1943. In August 1945, the Polish Provisional Government proposed Lange as Ambassador to the United States. Agrément for Lange’s appointment as Ambassador was given on the understanding that he would relinquish his American citizenship. After a visit to Poland for consultation, Lange presented his credentials to President Truman on December 21, 1945.↩