840.4016/9–945
The British Embassy to the Department of State
Aide-Mémoire
It seems apparent that, despite the requests made to them by the three Governments as a result of the Potsdam Conference, the Polish [Page 1273] authorities are continuing, at any rate by indirect means, to expel the remaining German inhabitants from the German territories handed over to Polish administration. The difficulties created for the Control Commission, already formidable as a result of previous expulsions, are thus daily becoming greater.
On August 27th His Majesty’s Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs86 directed the attention of the recently appointed Polish Ambassador in London87 to this matter and asked him to make inquiries. The question is, however, one which concerns all the occupying powers. His Majesty’s Government propose therefore that the British, French, Soviet and American representatives in Warsaw should jointly make urgent representations to the Polish Provisional Government to follow not only the letter but the spirit of the request made to them at the Potsdam Conference. It could be pointed out to the Polish Provisional Government that these transfers of population have already been accepted in principle but if they are to be effected in the orderly and humane manner contemplated by the Three Powers at Potsdam and if the situation in Germany is not to get completely out of hand, it is essential that further expulsions should be suspended until the whole question has been reviewed by the Control Council. In the meantime no measures should be taken which make it impossible to Germans to remain in territories administrated by the Poles.
His Majesty’s Chargé d’Affaires88 is instructed to propose to the United States Government the issue of instructions in this sense to the United States Ambassador in Warsaw.
A similar communication is being made to the Soviet Government and to the French Provisional Government.