Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, The Conference of Berlin (The Potsdam Conference), 1945, Volume II

740.00119 Potsdam/7–2045

No. 1421
Proposal by the Soviet Delegation¹

[Translation²]

[Undated.]

Amendments of the Soviet Delegation to the British Draft Declaration on the Polish Question³

It Is Suggested:

1. that the text of paragraph 2 of the above-mentioned document be replaced by a new text (see enclosure 1).

2. that the text of the last sentence of paragraph 3 be replaced by a new text (see enclosure 2).

3. that the last two sentences of paragraph 4 be omitted.

[Enclosure 1—Translation]

Declaration on the Polish Question

In place of the text of paragraph 2 of the British draft the following text is proposed:

The British and United States Governments have already taken measures to prevent the alienation to third parties of property of all kinds belonging to the Polish State located on their territory and under their control, whatever the form of this property may be, wherever and at whosoever’s disposal it may be, and without regard to whether it was transferred to someone earlier and exactly when. They are ready to take immediate measures for the transfer of this property, as well as vessels of the Polish Merchant Marine, to the disposal of the Polish Provisional Government as soon as possible. To this end they are prepared to discuss with properly accredited representatives of the Polish Provisional Government the manner and time of such transfer.

[Enclosure 2—Translation]

Declaration on the Polish Question

In place of the text of the last sentence of paragraph 3 the following text is proposed:

They expect that those Poles who return home shall be accorded personal and property rights on the same basis as all Polish citizens and in accordance with the existing laws of Poland.

At the same time the British Government shall take measures that in the territory of Great Britain, and in territories under British control, Poles wishing to return to Poland shall not be arrested.

1. Submitted to the Subcommittee on Poland.
2. The translations of this proposal and of its two enclosures were prepared for this volume by the Division of Language Services, Department of State.
3. For the text of the British proposal referred to, see document No. 1121. For the text reported by the Subcommittee, after consideration of the British and Soviet drafts on this subject, see document No. 1129.