ADSS 1.133 Tardini to Cortesi: another appeal to Polish government

ADSS 1.133 Domenico Tardini, Secretariat of State, to Filippo Cortesi, Poland.

Reference: Telegram number 44, AES 5658/39.

Location and date: Vatican, 26.08.1939. Sent at 16.10.

Summary statement: Vatican sends instructions to Warsaw re Orsenigo’s proposal.  Pope instructs Cortesi to make a last approach to the Polish Government. (1)

Language: Italian

Text:

Berlin Nuncio urgently informs, that while situation is precipitating towards war, it could be helpful if Poland, following the Holy See’s suggestion would state readiness to prevent ill-treatment of Germans providing Germany undertook same commitment regarding Poles on German territory. (2)

Berlin Nuncio is ready to communicate immediately such statement of the Polish Government to German Government, but asks for immediate reply.

August Pontiff, with eager wish to avoid war and inspired by feelings of fatherly affection towards Poland, instructs Your Excellency to also try this tentative action.

Notes: 

(1) ADSS 1.123, 132.

(2) Telegram was originally written by Tardini.