Foreign Relations of the United States, 1946, Eastern Europe, The Soviet Union, Volume VI

740.00119 Council/5–1546: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Secretary of State, at Paris

secret
us urgent

Washington, May 15, 1946—8 p.m.

2357. For Secy and Ambassador Lane. Polish Counselor Litauer and Financial Counselor Zoltowski this afternoon requested that suspension of surplus property deliveries be lifted in view of fact credit notes were published Sun in Warsaw press⁵³ (See Warsaw’s 117 May 12 to Paris⁵⁴ from Warsaw Emb. I reminded him that texts of Poland’s trade treaties had not yet been received and stated this Gov is at loss to understand reasons for PolGov’s delay in making texts available.

Litauer claims furnishing of texts was not precondition of credit authorization and argued that PolGov in accordance with promises would fulfill all commitments. He cited publication of credit notes as example. He said until USGov lifted suspension of surplus property credit he felt PolGov would not be inclined to furnish texts.

In view of rapidly deteriorating political conditions in Poland according to press reports from Warsaw and Moscow today re arrest of Mikolajczyk party leaders question arises as to advisability of lifting suspension of credits before Poles have fulfilled all commitments. Meanwhile Warsaw is instructed to inquire what arrangements Pol ForOff is making to provide treaty texts and to report promptly to Dept and Paris.

Since Litauer pressed to have suspension lifted immediately and asked for reply as soon as possible I would appreciate receiving your recommendations.⁵⁵

Repeated to Warsaw.

Acheson

53. Acting Secretary of State Acheson’s memorandum of his conversation with Litauer and Zoltowski, May 15, 1946, not printed (860C.51/5–1546). Litauer presented the Acting Secretary with an aide-mémoire, dated May 15, which purported to explain the delay in the publication in Poland of the notes of April 24 (860C.51/5–1546).
54. Telegram 678, May 12, from Warsaw, repeated to Paris as 117, not printed; it reported on stories appearing in principal Warsaw newspapers on May 12 regarding the conditions of the American credit to Poland (860C.51/1246).
55. In telegram 2400, May 17, from Paris, the Secretary of State replied as follows: “Until Embassy Warsaw reports that all conditions which were agreed upon during credit negotiations in Washington have been met by Pol Prov Govt we should not release material which was to have been furnished under credits. Please so inform Polish Emb.” (860C.51/5–1746)