Foreign Relations of the United States, 1948, Eastern Europe; The Soviet Union, Volume IV

760c.6215/8–2148: Telegram

The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Smith) to the Secretary of State

secret

Moscow, August 21, 1948—11 p. m.

1700. Polish-German border issue undoubtedly continues to provide Kremlin planners with unpleasant choice of alternatives. Warsaw’s 1049 to Department August 2¹ summarizes clearly reasons why Soviets must seriously hesitate over rectification present Oder–Neisse line in favor of irredentist feelings which so strongly impair Soviet-Communist cause in Germany.

Besides recent Praha reports suggesting some deal may be imminent (Depinfotel August 3¹), there were evidently similar reports inside Germany a few months ago of secret negotiations between Soviet, Polish, and German Communist representatives. On other hand, Warsaw conference communiqué² only last June categorically reaffirmed present frontier as “immovable frontier of peace”. On balance, we incline to view no Soviet move to be expected for time being. If Western powers should be forced out of Berlin and, following establishment of Western German government, Communist-dominated government be established in northeastern Germany, latter’s prestige and attracting power throughout the country might be vastly increased by return of part of this area. While present degree of Communist consolidation in adjacent satellite Slav states permits Kremlin somewhat greater latitude than before in considering what would amount in Polish eyes to another partition of Poland, it seems likely that this step would be taken only if and when it were considered of decisive importance in winning German objectives. As in case of Trieste, Western powers possess here an issue so embarrassing to Soviet cause they should keep it alive whenever opportunity permits.³

Sent Department 1700; repeated Berlin 322, London 155, Warsaw 58. Department pass Berlin, London, Warsaw.

Smith

1. Not printed.
1. Not printed.
2. See the editorial note, vol. ii, p. 370.
3. Later in telegram 2442 from Moscow on October 25, Ambassador Smith further stated: “We thus disagree with apparent thinking some British and French circles that West might as well approve Oder–Neisse line now as there is nothing we can do to change it. As indicated mytel 1700 August 21, we think this issue should be kept alive on account of its importance to our German objectives and embarrassment to Soviets. Argument that we cannot do anything about it and should therefore acquiesce is no more convincing as regards Oder–Neisse line than many other issues within satellite areas which we continue to condemn despite present inability alter them.” (760c.0215/10–2548)