860C.00/2–1946: Telegram
The Ambassador in Poland (Lane) to the Secretary of State
us urgent
[Received 2:36 p.m.]
206. At the request of Mikolajczyk, Keith called upon him afternoon February 17th. Following summarizes Mikolajczyk’s remarks:
Subsequent to the Secretary’s statement regarding political murders,46 Mikolajczyk was asked by some leading Government officials to issue statement denying participation of Security Police. When he refused to do so, he was asked if he were protecting American and British interests or those of Poland. He replied, “I am protecting the Polish peasants whom the Security Police are murdering. When you stop that there will be no more talking about it.” He said that previously when Bevin had made his statement in Commons on these murders47 and Rzymowski had replied, some of high officials [Page 396] here hoped split could be developed between British and Americans. After Secretary’s statement, they saw it was not possible and in consequence, publicity had been avoided and no statement in reply had thus far appeared.
He then stated that about 2 weeks ago (under instructions from the Soviets) leading members of Government adopted policy aimed at creating serious internal situation. Government hoped through arrests and other aggressive action to induce violent counteraction by elements opposed to Government. Resulting civil disorder would provide pretext for Russians to come further into Poland to suppress trouble. Plan was initiated by activities in Bialystok area (see Embtel 200, February 16, 2 p.m.48) in which he stated he knew that Government was intending to use one Polish Army division, one security police division and one Russian division. This action coincided with period during UNO meetings before strength of opposition had developed to Soviet stand re Indonesia and Greece, with which stand Polish Government had been instructed to align itself. He said that no sooner had trouble been started in Bialystok area than Polish Government became aware that representatives of American Embassy planned to visit area to examine situation and that British were sending member of Embassy staff to Rzeszow and Przemysl. Continuation of action was therefore suspended and original plans not fully carried out. He said that Russians also became clearly aware of American support being given to British stand at UNO in consequence of which Russian position was, for time being, less favorable. He said that instructions were then sent to Polish delegation at UNO, telling them to vote independently on minor issues, supporting Russians only on vital ones. He continued by stating that had plans developed as originally outlined, it had been hoped that enough internal disturbance [apparent omission] make it timely for PSL49 Ministers to be dismissed from Government, thus producing a situation which would cause American and British Governments to declare that conditions agreed upon at Yalta were not being fulfilled and to withdraw their Missions from Poland. It was then intended that Russians would take vigorous action and on pretext of suppressing all disorder gain full control. He said that although this Soviet plan was temporarily halted, it was not impossible that it might be renewed in near future if circumstances made it seem appropriate to try to put [Page 397] it into effect. Mikolajczyk said that every pressure had been brought to induce him to agree to single list, some Government officials having even told him that members of his party wanted such a list. He said that situation was exactly the contrary. Recently at meeting representatives of PSL and other Government parties, PSL representatives had inquired what was Government’s plan as to establishment of single list, proportional representation on list, etc. Representatives of parties supporting bloc had stated that plan had not thus far been formed but they argued that if bloc arrangement could be agreed upon then they could work out other details. He had stated that only after they were able to present their plans could he discuss it. Mikolajczyk stated that feeling is as strong as ever among PSL members that no single list is acceptable. He had explained to his party that their decision must rest on what would bring least harm to nation, that separate list would bring harm and difficulties but they will be far less than if they agree to bloc which would mean that they would be lost forever. He mentioned two arguments brought out in recent speeches, one by member of Socialist Party to effect that a bloc would influence western countries to believe that unity existed among all Polish parties as to Poland’s determination to retain new western frontier. The other speaker had argued necessity of bloc to facilitate setting up new constitution. On latter point, Mikolajczyk pointed out that 1935 constitution had been so framed by Government then in power that no changes in legal way could be made in it and that he believed that present government might have in mind now writing constitution which, being agreed to by a bloc, would permit no opportunity for further change, thus enabling present Government to make permanent its power. Mikolajczyk’s statements left no doubt that PSL’s policy against bloc was unchanged. He said that if it was belief of US Government that single list was not in accord with type of elections anticipated under Yalta Agreement, it would be highly desirable that this be publicized in American press. He stressed importance of such publicity as deterrent to Russian plans described above, just as public knowledge of our agreement with British on certain issues at UNO had had their effect.
When Keith mentioned that he had heard there might be from four to five hundred thousand Russians within Poland, Mikolajczyk stated he did not know how many there were, but perhaps that was too large a number. He said that there was great deal of activity on part of Russian troops in Poland. Keith also remarked he understood that in effect entire Polish coast was partly under Russian control. To this statement no comment was made. Mikolajczyk said, however, that many more political arrests were occurring at present than a short while ago.
[Page 398]Mikolajczyk, who knows that the above information is being sent to the Dept, wishes its distribution to be restricted to absolute minimum, as he is fearful of consequences if such is not the case.
[In telegram 231, February 22, from Warsaw, Ambassador Lane commented upon Mikolajczyk’s views and concluded as follows: “I feel that we must in every possible way make our influence felt regarding holding of free and unfettered elections between now and date of elections. Because of the attempt of Polish Government to discredit me with my own government I believe that any representations which I may make here should be made concurrently by Department to Polish Ambassador in Washington. I feel that it would likewise be most helpful for Department informally to urge leading American newspapers, of both liberal and conservative tendencies, to send representatives to Poland to observe not only elections but conditions preceding them.
I am fearful that unless we continue to make our position clearly known, to the accompaniment of a continuance of a firm attitude in refusing extend credits unless our conditions are met, our silence will be interpreted here as acquiescence in or lack of interest in the attempt of the Polish Government to continue in power regardless of the will of the electorate. It is evident for this reason that we should continue to emphasize necessity of restoration of freedom of speech and cessation of arrests for political reasons. In addition to our obligations under Yalta decision to insist that its provisions be respected by Poland, we have added right to protest because of imprisonment for alleged political reasons of growing numbers of persons claiming American citizenship of whom the citizenship of some has already been confirmed by Department.” (860C.00/2–2246)]
- For text of the Secretary’s statement of January 31, 1946, see Department of State Bulletin, February 10, 1946, p. 209.↩
- Foreign Secretary Bevin’s statement to the House of Commons was made on January 23, 1946; see Parliamentary Debates, House of Commons, 5th series, vol. 418, col. 143.↩
- Not printed; it reported the observations made by Embassy officers at villages in the Bialystok area which had recently been attacked and burned by unknown groups (860C.00/2–1646).↩
- Polskie Stronnictwo Ludowe, Polish Peasant Party, headed by Mikolajczyk.↩