740.0011 European War 1939/15425
The Ambassador to the Polish Government in Exile (Biddle) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 26.]
Sir: I have the honor herein to report the substance of my conversation with Dr. Joseph Retinger, General Sikorski’s political Chef du Cabinet, who just returned from Moscow where he carried out a special mission as Chargé d’Affaires at the Polish Embassy, awaiting the arrival of Ambassador Kot. Dr. Retinger was very grateful for the kindness and thoughtful consideration shown him by Ambassador Steinhardt.
During his stay in Moscow, Dr. Retinger had devoted the greater part of his time towards assisting in securing the release of Polish [Page 253] citizens interned or imprisoned in the Soviet Union, and towards the formation of a Polish army there. He was gratified by the attitude of the Russian Government in these matters. It was showing loyalty in the fulfillment of its obligations undertaken in the Polish-Russian Agreement of July 30. Besides, it had already given practical proof of its desire that a Polish army be formed as soon as possible; and a training area had already been designated East of the Volga. In this connection, Dr. Retinger said, the Polish military authorities were hopeful of forming a Polish force eventually, of well over 100,000 men.13
At this juncture, he said, in presenting its own requirements to the British and United States Governments, the Russian Government was taking into consideration the equipment for a Polish force of several divisions. Moreover, it was earnestly hoped by the Polish military authorities in Russia, as well as by the Polish Government here, that the United States might see its way clear to contribute towards these equipment requirements. Dr. Retinger was aware, in this connection, that I had already made a formal request for certain requirements, in behalf of General Sikorski. (See telegram Polish Series No. 31, August 20, 1941).
Dr. Retinger went on to say that as regards the shipment of arms and equipment, the weather and transportation facilities were elements of important consideration. Transportation through Iran might, for some time to come, be expected to entail difficult problems. Hence, Archangel and Vladivostok were now the best points of entry into Russia. However, shipments to Archangel had to take into account the freeze which set in there, in early December.
Respectfully yours,
- During a further talk Ambassador Biddle reported in Polish Series despatch No. 52, September 18, 1941, that Dr. Retinger stated that the Poles in the Soviet Union, despite the cruel treatment they had endured, were “all ready to carry on at the side of the Russian forces, in the Allied cause.” (740.0011 European War 1939/15432)↩