860C.00/11–1746: Telegram
The Chargé in Poland (Keith) to the Secretary of State
[Received 12:02 p.m.]
1780. Embtel 1727, November 6.48 On 15th I had visit with Mikolajczyk during which he briefly reviewed developments since I last saw him. He gave me percentages of representation of parties which confirmed those given in Embtel 1766 of November 13.49 He prefaced this by remarking with smile that result of elections was already known. He then referred to arrests in connection with recent Poznan PSL meeting and said that they have subsequently learned that they reached about 4500 in all. He said that he believed that about 100,000 people might be under arrest in the country at present time, that of those arrested many are released after brief period and then others arrested. He described how Govt endeavored to force some arrested people to sign statements agreeing to divulge activities of other people and that when they refused they are beaten to a point where some do sign against their will. When these same ones subsequently refuse to submit info they are again picked up and further beaten and maltreated until in some cases some of weaker ones submit to Govt wishes. This however all increases feeling of bitterness towards Govt. With [Page 515] regard to election decree he pointed out that as it now stands because of time element lists of candidates will have to be named before lists of voters are known. He is fearful that in consequence thereof it will be discovered that many PSL candidates will be ruled out because lists of voters when published will fail to include either candidates themselves or several of candidates’ signatories. This is possible because Govt can refuse to list voters if: (1) they have been suspected of cooperation with underground; (2) they derived economic benefit from association with institutions which were governed by Germans or (3) they held responsible positions within or without country and failed to give orders to fight Germans. It would be possible therefore for Govt to ruled out this [rule out his?] being a candidate himself.
He then spoke of compulsory levy (Embtel 1772 of November 1550) to aid western territories. He said this was necessitated by financial difficulties with which Govt is at present confronted, that it would not have been promised prior to elections were it not for critical situation which prevented its postponement. It would hit particularly severely the peasants who would be assessed 3 billion which coupled with ground taxes and insurance charges would require their attempting to make payments to Govt of about 15 billion. Private initiative would be severely handicapped by demands for 4 billion. Mikolajczyk had urged Govt endeavor to obtain this money from people as a loan but was voted down.
Mikolajczyk then told me of new development. Russians were coming into eastern Poland and buying up grain wherever they could (he particularly mentioned Rzeszow area) paying as high as 6,000 zlotys or its equivalent per quintal. These payments were made in rubles or in zlotys printed and brought in by Russians. He foresaw that this removal of grain from Poland by Soviets might lead later to famine conditions in this country. This he now wishes regarded with all secrecy.
I then told him that I had heard recently of considerable Russian troop movements through Poland. I could sense that he had no objection to my allusion to this matter but that it was a subject which he was not then ready to discuss. One or two remarks and his manner could leave only the conclusion that such reports were not to be denied. I then remarked that on basis of conditions which he knew about and these reports re Soviet actions, also the evident lack of eagerness on part of Govt to develop friendliest relations with us, I wondered what situation would be following elections. He said there as [whereas?] in Yugoslavia they had liquidated thousands and thousands who were [Page 516] possible opponents of Govt he did not think it would be attempted here because Poland was a much larger country and people more unified. He did not attempt to follow this up further and I preferred to leave subject to subsequent occasion. He confirmed however what Kiernik had told me as to a note being addressed to President Bierut (and to Premier) re treatment accorded PSL. Thus far no answer had been received and he expects that within week’s time a note will accordingly be addressed on same subject to each of the three Yalta powers.
Sent Dept as 1780.
- Not printed.↩
- Not printed; it reported that the Chargé had been informed by Kiernik that an agreement had been signed on November 12 between the Polish Workers Party and the Polish Socialist Party on the apportionment of seats in the Sejm. According to this agreement, the Polish Peasant Party would receive 12 percent of the representation in the Sejm, while the Polish Workers Party and the Polish Socialist Party would each receive 32 percent of the remainder, with 25 percent going to the Labor Party (SL) and 10 percent to the Democratic Party (SD) (860C.00/11–1346).↩
- Not printed.↩