860C.00/2–346: Telegram
The Chargé in Poland (Keith) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 9—11:05 a.m.]
161. Deptel 74, January 31.42 I gave statement personally to Foreign Minister early evening February 2. Rzymowski said he would reply by written note but wished to remark that members of Security Police were very ones who had suffered most from attacks and that in carrying out government’s wish to maintain law and order 1500 of them had been killed, that these attacks were carried out by groups under direction of leaders some of whom were situated American occupation zone in Germany. Of 3 groups one was associated with the NSZ and another was headed by Colonel Ilinski (I believe he is supposed to be stationed at Frankfurt), who receives orders from General Anders.43 Rzymowski said there was shortly to be a trial which would prove guilt and complicity of these elements. He subsequently referred to similar activities being instigated also by individuals in British zone of occupation. These efforts to undermine government would only contribute to Third World War which he knew United States, Great Britain and Soviets did not want.
Foreign Minister referred to having met Secretary in London in atmosphere of cordiality and regretted our relations appeared to be going through misunderstandings which seemed unfortunate just as day for honoring Kosciusko was near at hand.44
He said Poland had allowed press correspondents to report freely and that visiting groups (he mentioned Bishop Woznicki and Michigan State Senator Novak) had seen what was going on in Poland and he knew would tell story when they returned to America.
He mentioned that under the Yalta and Potsdam Agreements Poland considered itself a sovereign nation. Rzymowski was calm during conversation and concluded by expressing hope I would be attending meeting today of “Association of former political prisoners of German concentration camps” (at which he is to make principle address on “the fight against Fascism as the defense of world peace”).
- Not printed; it instructed Keith to bring to the attention of the Polish Foreign Ministry Secretary Byrnes’ press statement of January 31, 1946, regarding political murders in Poland (860C.00/1–3146).↩
- Lt. Gen. Wladyslaw Anders, Commander, II Polish Corps, in Italy during World War II. In exile in the United Kingdom.↩
- February 12, 1946, was the 200th anniversary of the birth of Thaddeus Kosciusko. Plans had been made for the joint celebration of the anniversary in Poland and the United States. For President Truman’s public statement marking the bicentennial, see The Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: Harry S. Truman, 1946 (Washington, Government Printing Office, 1962), p. 116.↩