ADSS 1.102 Cortesi to Maglione: situation worsens; German troops mass on border

ADSS 1.102 Filippo Cortesi, Poland, to Luigi Maglione, Sec State.

Reference: Telegram 32 (AES 5355/39)

Location and date: Warsaw, 18.08.1939

Summary statement: Polish gov’t does not know what to suggest to Holy See.  Situation is worsening.  German troops are massing on the border. More anti-Polish attacks in the German press.

Language: Italian

Text:

I received your coded telegram number 41. (1) To my question, made as suggested, Foreign Under Secretary was unable to give a precise answer although affirming possibility of a pacific agreement.

Concentration of German troops along Pomeranian-German border as far as Upper Silesia considered as preparation to decisive step.  Political situation worsened by renewed Press attacks alleged Polish provocations, by semi-official manifestations which extend (?) frontier claims before war with Polish Kingdom (group of words missing)  … Hitlerian Burckhardt [sic], as I know from reputable Hitlerian source requests free hand East Europe.

Notes: 

(1) ADSS 1.95