Office of the Historian

740.0011 European War 1939/12609: Telegram

The Ambassador to the Polish Government in Exile (Biddle) to the Secretary of State

London, June 28, 1941—3 p.m.
[Received June 28—10:36 a.m.]

Polish Series [No.] 25. Your 14, June 26, 4 p.m. Polish Foreign Minister states Polish Government has made no approaches to Soviet Government beyond the indirect one represented by General Sikorski’s broadcast reported in my 21, June 23, 11 p.m. and the contemplated soundings by Ambassador Cripps and General MacFarlane reported [Page 239] in my 24, June 26, 8 p.m. Nor has there as yet been any reaction from Soviet Government to Sikorski’s broadcast.

Dr. Retinger,82 General Sikorski’s confidential political adviser, reiterated this morning that Cripps and MacFarlane were fully informed regarding Polish position and added that when they left it was Cripps’ intention on arrival in Moscow to spend first days introducing Military Mission and then to take up Polish question. He also said Polish Government planned to leave matter in his hands for the present, though General Sikorski intended to refer again to Polish position in a public speech at a luncheon next Wednesday.

Last evening Foreign Minister Zaleski said he had wired Ciechanowski day before yesterday requesting him to inform you that Polish Government did not plan to take any further initiative respecting Russia at this time and that if Soviet Government now makes any overture Polish Government will be prepared to indicate readiness to discuss Polish position either directly or through intermediary of another government, perhaps the British or ourselves.

[
Biddle
]
  1. Joseph Retinger, political Chef du Cabinet of General Sikorski.↩