860C.00/8–146: Telegram
The Ambassador in Poland (Lane) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 1—9:44 p.m.]
1187. British Chargé96 tells me that he had interview with Mikolajczyk July 31 in which Mikolajczyk insisted on international supervision of elections on ground that same fraudulent methods in counting and reporting vote will be employed as in referendum.
Russell quoted Mikolajczyk as saying that he has refused offer from Govt of 25 percent representation of Polish Peasant Party in Govt but without participation of Mikolajczyk personally. Mikolajczyk apprehensive regarding closing of PSL offices in 10 powiats which in Mikolajczyk’s opinion meant that when PSL candidacies are presented in those districts Govt will claim that party does not exist there. Mikolajczyk fears that policy of declaring PSL illegal will be continued throughout country thus effectively preventing participation of PSL in elections.
Mikolajczyk said that in event elections are supervised which would ensure success of his party he would invite other parties including PPR and PPS to collaborate in Govt with him and that he would base his foreign policy on friendly relations with Soviet Union. According to Russell he appeared most pessimistic regarding any possibility of free elections unless US and UK agree to supervise. Russell says that [Page 488] Mikolajczyk appears to have information that draft electoral law does not give guarantees to PSL which he considers essential for free elections. Mikolajczyk indicated to Russell that Berman and other PPR leaders are anxiously watching attitude of US and British Govts regarding Govts action against Labor Party and that inaction on our part will be interpreted as acquiescence or weakness. Mikolajczyk expressed hope that both Govts would protest.97
Sent to Dept as 1187; repeated to Paris for the Secretary as 225; to London as 158.