840.48 Refugees/8–2446: Telegram
The United States Political Adviser for Germany (Murphy) to the Secretary of State
priority
[Received August 26—8:19 p.m.]
Reurad WX 97352 dated 14 August, subject elimination of influence of London Poles.
Action has been initiated to accomplish the directive97 contained in reference cable. The 23 London Polish officers who have been engaged in displaced persons work will either be removed from the zone [Page 181] completely or placed in “hard core” displaced persons centers without official status and with no special privileges and no local authority. Assume that your instructions also require the removal of London Poles who are assisting in the supervision of our guard and labor companies, including those utilized outside the occupied zones. This will require some reorganization of some guard units, but action will be expedited and London Poles released as rapidly as possible.
In justice to the affected individuals, I feel that I should state that they served loyally and faithfully with our forces throughout the fighting and were invaluable in controlling and assisting in the initial cam of the great masses of displaced persons and camps that were uncovered. They have been very valuable to this command throughout its operations; they have adhered strictly to our policy which places voluntary repatriation above all other considerations; they are still of material value in the maintenance of law and order among certain groups, in the defense and prosecution of Polish criminals, in maintaining proper relations with Polish labor and guard companies, and in representing the interests of the known “hard core” unrepatriable persons to this Headquarters. If and when we are faced with the problem of screening, selecting, and influencing non-repatriable Polish displaced persons to resettle in other foreign countries, the particular group of officers that we are now eliminating would be of tremendous value. In that operation, when it arises, we can expect little or no assistance from Warsaw Poles. These observations are offered in order that you may be in possession of all of the facts.