860C.51/6–1446: Telegram
The Ambassador in Poland (Lane) to the Secretary of State
most immediate
[Received June 17—1:12 p.m.]
897. June 13 at British Embassy reception, Osubka-Morawski made reference to suspension of credit during my stay in Paris. I said I had instructions from Secretary to see President Bierut but that up to now Bierut did not receive me. Osubka said that I should come to see Osubka as head of the Govt rather than Bierut who is head of Legislative branch of Govt. I said that I would have no objection to calling on Osubka but as Ambassador I felt I was privileged to report on matters of high policy to head of the country to whom I had presented my credentials especially if so instructed by Secretary of State.
Osubka received me today in company with Modzelewski. After my having explained situation re suspension of deliveries under $50,000,000 credit for OFLC material, Osubka asked two direct questions (1) whether US Govt was disposed in principle to give financial assistance to Poland and (2) what conditions were attached thereto.
I said that so much time had elapsed since seeing the Secretary in Paris I could not speak for him without receiving new instructions but that I was confident on the basis of my talks with Mr. Byrnes in Paris that deliveries under the credit would be granted provided Polish Govt lived up to conditions on which agreement had been reached and that condition outstanding was furnishing us with copies of texts of economic treaties to which Poland is a party. Prime Minister promised that commercial treaties to which Poland is a party will be published within 8 days. He said that these treaties, however, do not contain price and amounts of material to be delivered to other countries, information in which he understands we are especially interested. Not as an obligation but as a mark of friendship Polish Govt will be glad to furnish us this information in confidence.
Osubka said that our action in suspending credit was a great blow to Polish pride especially when such matters as non-transmission of Allen’s despatch on Banczyk’s speech was brought into the matter. He expressed hope that in future financial matters would be treated [Page 460] independently of other matters. I reminded him that there had been strong expressions of opinion in Congress re insistence of freedom of speech and liberty to report on conditions on the part of American correspondents and that this feeling was general and did not apply solely to Poland.
If Dept feels that publication of texts of economic treaties and furnishing us with information re prices and materials meet our conditions re extension of credits I assume that we would have no further justification for withholding delivery of materials under OFLC credit.
In that case will Dept please instruct me so that I may advise Premier.
My comments on attitude of Osubka will follow in subsequent message.
Sent to Dept as 897, repeated to Paris for the Secretary as 174.