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

860C.00/11–2546: Telegram

The Chargé in Poland (Keith) to the Secretary of State

top secret
us urgent

Warsaw, November 25, 1946—6 p.m.
[Received November 26—9:48 a.m.]

1821. Dept will have been able to form its opinion re situation existing here today from info given first hand by Ambassador Lane and supplemented by recent cabled reports from Embassy. I should like now to stress however that all developments in recent weeks since Ambassador Lane’s departure confirm the opinion that there can be no hope that fair treatment prior to or during elections will be given any person engaged in political life here who does not submit to Communists’ will. I find no one not connected with the Government who will assert that PSL and SP will be given any opportunity to participate in elections in such a way that results will reflect the support which exists for those two parties. Those elements of course with some of PPS comprise the friends of the US. Even though one were disposed to admit that electoral law if interpreted with honesty may have been so drafted that freedom of expression of its people could be obtained it is indisputable that it is so designed as to permit inevitable fraud. I doubt our last note will be recognized by any reply from Government. In any case it may be safely forecast that no change in policy will be effected by PPR Communists who realize that to lose their present power might involve the loss of their own personal safety. Popiel has I believe well expressed (Embtel 1785 of November 18⁶⁰) reaction which we may expect to our note.

I doubt Polish Govt actually expects that any more financial aid will be coming from US Govt while regime here pursues its present Soviet-directed policies. This does not mean that they will discontinue attempts during next 2 months to obtain assistance. In this connection it is of interest that the Chief of Brit delegation now here for discussion of nationalization matters told me on 23rd that Polish officials with whom he discussed recently announced 3-year plan Stated that deficit of many millions of dollars which this plan entails was to be taken care of by financial aid from US. He also reported to me at same time that some officials had not hesitated to make statements to him derogatory of US.

A further important political trend towards ideological and political warfare with the church is indicated by President Bierut’s remarks about the Catholic church (Embtel 1822 of November 26⁶¹) and the recent sentencing to death of priest (Embtel 1823 of November 26⁶²).

The continuing unreadiness of Polish Govt to take steps which would facilitate development of friendly relations with US coupled with unceasing press attacks upon US (Embtel 1795 November 20⁶³) and handicaps placed in way of physical operation of Embassy (Embtel 1817 of November 25⁶⁴) lead to thought that time may be approaching when it would suit this regime to have us curtail our mission’s activities if not to cease them entirely. One objective which such action would serve would be to give Soviets even freer rein in military and other forms of domination of this area.

I shall appreciate this telegram being brought to Ambassador Lane’s attention before his departure if possible.

Keith

60. Not printed; in this telegram the Chargé reported on a 2-hour conversation with Popiel during which the latter expressed the prediction that protests by the United States and United Kingdom regarding election violations would be answered by the Polish Government with the assertion that elections were a domestic matter, that they had been conducted fairly, and that no interference from the outside would be tolerated (860C.00/11–846).
61. Not printed; it transmitted the summary of remarks made by President Bierut during a newspaper interview on November 20 in the course of which he criticized the Polish clergy for allegedly using the pulpit for illegal political purposes (860C.404/11–2646).
62. Not printed; it reported that a Roman Catholic priest had been sentenced to death in connection with the murders of Communist Party members (860C.00/11–2646).
63. Not printed.
64. Not printed; it reported that the Polish Government had formally allocated to the Bulgarian Government for use as a legation the premises currently being occupied by the United States Embassy as a chancery (124.60C1/11–2546).