860C.00/4–1646: Telegram
The Ambassador in Poland (Lane) to the Secretary of State
most immediate
[Received April 16—1:35 p.m.]
524. Personal for the Secretary. While my 523, April 16, 1 p.m., immediately preceding this message, sets forth my views as to step we should now take re Poland I should like to point out to you that any representations which we may make will probably be ineffective insofar as the Polish situation is concerned, unless the Soviet Government should decide to change its present policy of controlling Polish domestic affairs and specifically of maintaining in power the Communist clique. For the sake of the record it is desirable that representation along the lines suggested in my 523 be made prior to the meeting of the National Council of the Homeland now scheduled for April 26. As the Council is, however, controlled by the Communist Government clique it is obvious that the Council will follow the Government’s policy, both with respect to the referendum and the date of the elections which it is now believed the Council will fix at this next meeting. The Government acting under the directions and with the support of the Soviet Government will, in my opinion, reject the British-American protest. This will serve to make our relations with present Polish Government even more unpleasant than those existing today but will, on other hand, clarify our position and, if Department makes situation public, it will likewise make known to world Soviet attitude towards Poland.
As I pointed out in my letter to Matthews of March 1, the situation here boils down in the last analysis to decision as to what our policy is going to be towards Soviet Union.