611.60c15/5: Telegram
The Minister in Poland (Gibson) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 5—6:48 a.m.]
188. My 155, March 19, 8 p.m.44 Last evening I had a conversation with Patek to bid him goodbye before going on leave. I told him that I was very much discouraged by the impression I was obliged to take home as to the usefulness of an ambassador here. That in spite of his promises made to me eight days before that a special staff officer sui generis would be assigned to clear up pending American business, we had had a decision on just one case, and that unfavorable to us; that in the meantime a number of new cases had arisen giving cause for complaint. I went over five new cases with him to give point my remarks. Patek appeared genuinely distressed but more or less helpless. He said that both the Chief of State, Prime Minister, had said emphatically that all cause for complaint must be removed without delay and that I must leave Warsaw thoroughly satisfied; that he would take any measures I could suggest to secure immediate action. Consul and I are permitted have conference with representatives of various Ministries to propose definite measures. It seems that a large part of the difficulties lie in bureaucratic incompetency and the indifference of functionaries to the rights of others, a state of mind acquired under the Russian regime. The Department’s note has had a very wholesome effect as had a telegram from Prince Lubomirski. I am for the first time hopeful of some improvement.
- Not printed.↩