860C.00/12–1446: Telegram
The Ambassador in Poland (Lane)76 to the Secretary of State
urgent
[Received 10:47 a.m.]
1930. I impressed on Mikolajczyk evening December 13 with great earnestness our considered opinion that it would be most unwise for him to make an appeal to Yalta Powers re steps taken against Polish Peasant Party including arrests which Mikolajczyk estimated to be at least 10,000. (He estimated total of persons now under arrest for political reasons to be at least 150,000. He said that after elections Bentinck and I would be completely isolated and any Poles having dealings with us would be arrested.) I argued that appeal to foreign govts would undoubtedly be exploited by Polish Govt as treasonable net and would result in elimination of Polish Peasant Party from the elections. Such action would result in virtual boycott of elections by PSL and possibly might bring about civil war. This would in our opinion be greatest calamity which could befall Poland and Polish people and might entail Soviet occupation for purpose of “restoring order”. I continued that it is most important for democratic political parties including PSL to bear in mind public opinion in US which would probably be from long range viewpoint greatest restraining force to foreign domination of Poland. If Mikolajczyk should make such an appeal to foreign govt over the head of his own Govt he would run risk of incurring popular disfavor in US. If on other hand his party should enter elections even though they should not be free his position could not be effectively assailed.
Mikolajczyk replied that Executive Committee of PSL had already taken decision to acquaint Yalta Powers with facts of existing situation. He had succeeded in rejecting former proposal of committee to appeal to three powers to supervise elections but he could not resist consensus of party as evidenced by many petitions signed by thousands that Yalta Powers should be informed (he showed me one of such petitions). Mikolajczyk said communication to three powers would not be an appeal but merely transmitting facts. He said from practical viewpoint whether note to Yalta Powers is sent or not effect will [Page 537] be the same: PSL candidates will not be permitted to appear on lists in many districts and not at all in western provinces and as soon as” elections are held Mikolajczyk will be tried for treason. Mikolajczyk said that he has this information from many reliable quarters. Furthermore he prophesied that civil war will take place in April or May due to following three reasons: (1) fraudulent elections; (2) economic crisis because of necessity of peasants being forced to contribute 17 billion zloty prior to January 15 (4 billions for internal loan 8 billions for land [?] 2 billions for agrarian reform and 3 billions for seeds and horses) and (3) dissolution of Polish Peasant Party.
I emphasized that proposed action of PSL would embarrass US Govt that I might be forced to reject his communication and that in any case I felt sure I would not acknowledge it. I said that our attitude should not be construed as hostility towards Polish Peasant Party but that we did not wish to be accused of dealing with only one political party which would result not only in attacks on US but also on PSL.
Mikolajczyk countered by saying that Yalta decision provides that British and US Ambassadors should be kept informed of internal conditions here and that PSL therefore had right to communicate with us. I said that in my interpretation Yalta decision merely provided that British and US Ambassadors should keep respective govts informed that this did not provide for govts to communicate formally and directly with various parties. Mikolajczyk said that communication would be made to three Embassies here and would not be made public. He cited fact that to date his communication to Soviet Govt (Embtel 1560 October 8) had not been made public. He said furthermore that he did not expect us to acknowledge his communication but he trusted we would not reject it as this would be terrific blow to PSL hopes.
I requested him to inform Executive Committee re our conversation and impress upon it our view. He said he would do so but he made it clear that die had already been cast and that he could no longer resist pressure from committee and from party as a whole especially because of his having rejected committee’s proposal to request supervision of elections by Yalta Powers.
Mikolajczyk did not attempt to conceal his concern re very critical situation and probability of civil war shortly after elections are held which he admitted could not be won by PSL despite peasant majority in country. He was nervous and at times spoke in low whisper apparently fearing he was being overheard altho conversation was held in his private apartment.
I made point as discussed with Dept officials that perhaps Communist [Page 538] minority knowing strength of PSL might decide to allow free election be held and thus open way for continuance of party. I emphasized that US could not take active intervention in Poland and that any thought of such action should be at once dispelled. Mikolajczyk replied that strength of PSL was known to all and that after elimination of PSL, PPS would be liquidated as indicated by recent arrests of members of Polish Socialist Party. He said he realized that result of election would not result in us initiating hostilities but that note to Yalta Powers was “last hope”.
Conversation ended with Mikolajczyk promising to acquaint Executive Committee with my views. I apprehend however that communication will be sent to US and to British and Soviet Embassies. I recommend that I be instructed not to reply to communication but that I accept it as a matter of information for our Govt as one of the Yalta Powers. British Ambassador concurs in my recommendation.
Please instruct by telegraph urgently.77