860C.01/6–745: Telegram
President Truman to the British Prime Minister (Churchill)
63. I have just received another message from Harry Hopkins on the Polish matter. He reports that Stalin was adamant in refusing to substitute Popiel for Kolodzei. He insisted that the London list be limited to three and the only concession he will make is to substitute Julian Zakowski for Kolodzei or Popiel for Stanczyk. Since Mikolajczyk insists on Stanczyk, Hopkins believes we should leave him on the list instead of substituting Popiel. According to Stalin, Zakowski is a teacher of engineering at Liverpool University and is non-party. We have no precise information regarding him but perhaps Mikolajczyk [Page 332] can give us some guidance as to whether it would be better to accept Zakowski for Kolodzei.
The tentative list agreed to at Moscow is now composed of Mikolajczyk, Stanczyk, Kolodzei or Zakowski from London; Witos, Zulawski, Kutrzeba, Kolodzierski and Krzyzanowski, non-Lublin Poles from Poland, plus three or four Lublin representatives. Hopkins pointed out to Stalin that although the tentative agreement on the list was a great step forward it is not a final solution which depends upon the Commission in consultation with the Poles, and he made it clear that no decision would be taken during the consultations which did not have the unanimous approval of all three Commissioners. He pointed out that, while by unanimous decision it might be possible to invite additional people for consultation, Stalin seemed to be standing firm on inviting only three from London and five from Poland to represent the non-Lublin groups. Hopkins told Stalin that he was authorized by the United States and British Governments to agree to this list subject to the decision as to whether we prefer Zakowski for Kolodzei.
He again took up the question of the release of the majority of the political leaders accused of operating illegal transmitters and while Stalin did not make a commitment on this point, Harriman and Hopkins gained the impression that Stalin was going to do something about them.
I am sure that you will agree that this is the best solution we can hope for in the circumstances and I shall appreciate it if you will let me know urgently whether you feel we should agree to Kolodzei or Zakowski. I am putting this same question up to Mikolajczyk with whom I am sure you will discuss the matter.