U.S. Department of State (August 2, 1941)
860C.00/882.: TelegramThe Ambassador to the Polish Government in Exile to the Secretary of State
London, August 2, 1941 — 3 p.m.
[Received August 2 — 10:50 a.m.]
Polish Minister of Interior Seyda and General Sosnkowski tendered their resignations from Polish Cabinet July 26, in protest to the signing of the Polish-Soviet agreement. Foreign Minister Zaleski resigned on the same day. While he said resignation was due to lack of national unity caused by resignation of aforementioned Cabinet Ministers, I am aware he was definitely opposed to signing the agreement in its final form. These resignations have thus far not been accepted.
While efforts are afoot to persuade Seyda and Sosnkowski to withdraw their resignations, I understand Zaleski’s will be accepted due largely to long standing differences of opinion on general policy between him and General Sikorski and to his vigorous opposition to the views of General Sikorski who took the lead throughout the recent negotiations.
General Sikorski imparts he ascertained that the attitude of the opposition was stiffened measurably by cables from Ciechanowski, wherein he indicated in effect that official circles in Washington looked with disfavor upon the Polish Government’s signing the agreement as drafted. Having subsequently been led to understand from British sources that Ciechanowski’s impressions were incorrect, Sikorski has requested an immediate explanation from him.
BIDDLE