Foreign Relations of the United States, 1946, Eastern Europe, The Soviet Union, Volume VI

860C.00/2–2246: Telegram

The Ambassador in Poland (Lane) to the Secretary of State

secret

Warsaw, February 22, 1946—noon.
[Received February 24—8:58 p.m.]

232. In reviewing developments here upon my return to Warsaw I have been much impressed by the fact that various actions recently taken by the Polish Govt have coincided in timing with steps taken by Soviet Govt in such a manner as to provide more convincing evidence of Soviet direction of Polish affairs. I believe these actions are prompted by clear desire to embarrass British Govt and in a less degree ourselves and to create a situation in Poland which when developed further will involve Mikolajczyk as an exponent of British American views and as the Polish character largely responsible for the troubles which Govt will insist it must vigorously eliminate.

Following are the events which I have in mind:

1. Polish Govt note of Feb 14 to British Govt insisting on the termination of British control of Polish military forces outside of Poland.

2. Memorandum from Yugoslav Govt transmitted to President of UNO by Vishinski, regarding alleged movements of Anders troops near Yugoslav frontier.⁵¹

3. Molotov’s speech on eve of elections in Soviet Union implying interference of General Anders in internal affairs in other countries.⁵²

4. Commencement of Warsaw trial of NSZ followers Feb 14 which had been scheduled to take place weeks earlier in Lublin.

5. Series of editorials in local Govt controlled press regarding presence of so-called Holy Cross Brigade allegedly of NSZ origin in American occupied zone of Germany.

At same time it should be noted that our negotiations with the Polish Govt on matters of primary interest such as nationalization, air agreement, treaty information, are at least at a temporary impasse. In addition to these matters we have thus far received no satisfaction in response to our inquiries as to arrests for alleged political offenses of valid claimants to American citizenship (my despatch 86, October 31, 1945⁵³). The Polish Govt has at the same time not hesitated through its misrepresentations of certain conversations with the Secretary and with Keith to display an attitude not only of lack of understanding but of vicious criticism.

On my return to Warsaw I called on Zebrowski Feb 18 in his capacity as Acting Foreign Minister but did not initiate any discussion on matter of our relations nor did he. I now propose with Dept’s approval to remind the Foreign Office from time to time of our interest in receiving responses to our notes on the subjects mentioned above but at same time not to indicate, with one exception, concern over their apparent unreadiness to take favorable action. The exception I refer to is the question of the arrests of American citizens or those who have certain claims to such citizenship. I believe that Foreign Office should be made to understand that unless we can get satisfaction on this issue it is likely, as has been intimated to them already, that failure to cooperate with us on that score can lead to publicity in the US which would be unfortunate.⁵⁴ (As recommended in my 231, Feb. 22, 11 a.m.,⁵⁵ I also feel we should continue to insist on fulfillment of Yalta decision.)

I believe we have now reached the time when our policy towards Poland must remain completely firm and conducted in such a way as to discourage the thought, not only of the present Govt in power here but of their guiding authorities to the east, that we do not intend to be backed further against a wall. In my opinion every move which we make which they can regard as a partial retreat will decrease the area in which we can operate, will encourage increasing optimism both politically and psychologically of those who oppose our principles and may, if we are not careful, place us on less solid ground to take a stand which may be inevitable.

Sent to Dept as 232, repeated to Moscow as 10 and to London as 33.

Lane

51. The Yugoslav memorandum regarding the alleged movement of units of the Polish Army in Italy was transmitted to United Nations Secretary General Trygve Lie under cover of a letter of February 15, 1946, from Andrei Yanuaryevich Vyshinsky, Assistant People’s Cmmissar for Foreign Affairs of the Soviet Union and Chief of the Soviet Delegation to the United Nations. Although Yyshinsky’s letter requested that the Yugoslav memorandum be brought to the attention of the Security Council of the United Nations, the question of the Polish Army in Italy was not placed on the Council’s agenda. For a summary of this question, see Yearbook of the United Nations, 1946–1947 (New York, 1947), pp. 407–408. In pursuance of a plan for their demobilization worked out by the United Kingdom Government, the Polish II Corps was transferred to England in October 1946.
52. Reference is to the speech at a meeting of voters of the Molotov electoral area, Moscow, February 6, 1946, by Vyacheslav Mikhailovich Molotov, People’s Commissar for Foreign Affairs of the Soviet Union.
53. Not printed; it reviewed in detail the situation of presumptive American citizens who had been arrested by Polish authorities (360C.1121/10–3145). For a summary of this situation made at the time, see telegram 508, October 31, 1945, from Warsaw, Foreign Relations, 1945, vol. v, p. 397.
54. In telegram 245, February 26, from Warsaw, Ambassador Lane reported on the current status of those claimants to American citizenship being held under arrest in Poland. Of 84 cases during the preceding 6 months, only 15 had been released from prison. Twenty-seven cases had been referred to the Soviet Embassy since they had occurred in areas under Soviet jurisdiction. Of the 42 remaining pending cases, notes had been submitted to the Polish Foreign Ministry regarding 19, and Embassy officers had made oral representations from time to time. (360C.1121/2–2646)
55. Not printed, but see bracketed note, p. 398.