Foreign Relations of the United States Diplomatic Papers, 1939, General, Volume I

760C.62/836: Telegram

The Chargé in the United Kingdom (Johnson) to the Secretary of State

London, August 16, 1939—6 p.m.
[Received August 16—2:45 p.m.]

1172. My 1146, August 9, 9 p.m.²⁹ Through the courtesy of the Foreign Office I was shown this afternoon a résumé of the conversation between Herr Hitler and Burckhardt as well as an instruction to the British Ambassador at Warsaw, both of which were telegraphed to the Ambassador last night. I understood that both texts have likewise been telegraphed to the British Ambassador at Washington for communication to you.³⁰ From the instruction to the British Ambassador at Warsaw will be seen the official British view of the present situation and the nature of the pressure which they are endeavoring to bring to bear on the Polish authorities.³¹ I also understand that the British Ambassador has been instructed to make clear to Colonel Beck the great importance which this Government attaches to a full and frank exchange of views and intentions before Poland takes the initiative in replying to various forms of German pressure by any act which could be represented in Germany as Polish aggression. The Foreign Office has been at pains through background press conferences to discuss current speculations that Dr. Burckhardt had acted as an agent in communicating messages to Hitler from the British Government or that he had conveyed any message to the British Government from Hitler.

Dr. Burckhardt, in whom Foreign Office officials express confidence, has given a clear-cut account of his interview with Hitler. Officials here however do not feel that it has thrown any additional light on what Hitler’s real intentions are as to the issue of peace or war.

Johnson

29. Not printed.
30. Transmitted by the British Ambassador on August 15; not printed.
31. On August 21, 1939, the British Embassy informed the Department of State that the British Ambassador in Poland was authorized at his discretion to suggest to the Polish Foreign Minister that the Polish Government might convey in some way to the German Government its readiness to discuss the minority problem. The British Government was not, however, suggesting that the Polish Government should give anything away with regard to Danzig or otherwise compromise its position. (740.00/2114)