760C.6215/2–1047: Telegram
The Ambassador in Poland (Lane) to the Secretary of State
237. I regret I cannot agree with Ambassador Smith’s position as expounded in his 273, February 4[3] to Department.21 I do not feel that question at issue is Germany vs Soviets but US vs Soviet Union. In Poland, British and ourselves have taken strong position in favor Polish people to prevent, their domination by Communist controlled govt. The recent rigged elections indicate that for time being we have lost out in our fight but I feel that this is a long range problem and we must take every opportunity to enhance our prestige and to give Polish people hope for future. Grabski, an independent Pole who recently talked to British FonOff on Western lands, said that Polish people would never understand this territory should be returned to Germany and that it would mean a terrible tragedy for the 4 million Poles who have been settled there if they should now be sent to other parts of Poland. Cardinal Hlond in talk with me February 3 emphasized distinction which must be drawn between Polish Govt and Polish people and said he hoped he would never punish latter for sins of former.
British Ambassador who saw Modzelewski February 6 reports latter as having stated that govt (meaning Communist group in govt) feels stronger than ever before and will not be moved by any power from course which it has chartered and that within three years it will have complete control of entire country. Bentinck interprets this as meaning that intention is to Communize Poland. Polish Socialists [Page 156] even those in govt admit to us openly their fear that they will be eliminated from govt and from national affairs. One colleague tells me that Berman who is Moscow’s principal agent here admitted that newly elected SEJM will meet for only very short periods and very seldom and that Presidium of SEJM will continue to carry on functions of Presidium of KRN in other words govt of country by decree rather than by law.
I regret I cannot agree with Ambassador Smith that Polish people are turned to East at present time. Polish people as distinguished from Polish govt are in my opinion ninety percent pro-American and more strongly so than ever since recent elections which the man in the street correctly regards as having been maneuvered by the Soviet Govt to keep the present puppet regime in power.
Ambassador Smith and I are in agreement that there is no way of inducing Soviet or Polish Govts to relinquish territory in question. That being the case will not German people regard our inability to enforce our views as a sign of weakness and will not our prestige in Germany be decreased accordingly? At same time we would be losing support of Polish people which regardless of its hostility towards govt is almost universally in favor of retention of Western territories as compensation for loss of Eastern territory. My more detailed views were contained in my letter of January 13 to Secretary,22 copies of which were sent to Moscow and to London for Murphy.
Repeated Moscow as 19, to London for Murphy as 27.