ADSS 1.131 Tardini notes: conversations with Spanish and Polish ministers

ADSS 1.131 Domenico Tardini, notes.

Reference: AES 6818/39

Location and date: Vatican, 26.08.1939

Summary statement: Spain is unhappy with the German-Soviet pact and enthusiastic about the Pope’s peace message.  Poland denied news of general mobilisation; added that the Pope’s message had been well received and expressed the hope that the Pope would make a formal condemnation in the case of aggression.

Language: Italian

Text:

12.00 The Spanish Ambassador calls. (1) He says that in Spain the Russian-German agreement has made a bad impression.  The Spaniards know through their own experience what communism means.  They thought they had dealt a heavy blow to Communism by defeating it in Spain. Now, instead, they see all Powers kneeling before Stalin and are surprised to see the very person who had helped Spain against Communism coming to terms with it.  He speaks with enthusiasm about the pontifical message.

12.30 The Polish Ambassador calls. (2) He has no news from his Government.  He knows only that a general mobilisation has not yet taken place, contrary to the news given by the German Press.  He feels that the tone of the Italian Press is less harsh.  He does not harbour any illusion about Hitler’s proposals, now mentioned.  He states that the pontifical message has been very well received in Poland; the nation is threatened by violence from a stronger one and heartily approves the clear and solemn reaffirmation of principles made by His Holiness.  He expressed (rather timidly_ the hope that, in the case of an aggression against Poland, the Holy See would declare on which side justice and moral principles rest.

Notes: 

(1) Jose Yanguas Messia de Santa Clara de Avedillo (1890-1974), Spanish Ambassdor to the Holy See 1938-42.

(2) Casimir Papee (1889-1979), Polish Ambassador to the Holy See 1939-58.

ADSS 1.116 Tardini, notes: meetings with ambassadors

ADSS 1.116 Domenico Tardini, notes

Reference: AES 5561/39

Location and date: Vatican, 24.08.1939

Summary statement: Ambassadors and Ministers of France, UK, Italy, Poland and Yugoslavia called.

Language: Italian

Text:

09.45 The French Ambassador calls (1).  He thinks the situation very grave.  Today or tomorrow – according to his opinion – Hitler will attack Poland.  He would like the Pope to censure the aggression against a Catholic country.

10.30 The British Minister calls (2).  He brings a summary of the letter that Chamberlain had set to Hitler yesterday. (3) He tells me that the British Ambassador to the Quirinal was more worried yesterday that today.

11.30 The Secretary of the Italian Embassy calls. (4) He tells me that the Russian-German treaty deprives Italy of the possibility of intervening to stop Hitler.  Hitler is now safe from the East.  He cannot think how war could be avoided.

12.15 The Polish Ambassador calls (5), affirming that Poland has never hoped to be helped by Russia.  Poland will resist violence and fight the aggressor.  He would like the Holy Father to condemn the aggression.

13.00 The Yugoslav Minister calls (6).  He has no news.  He would like to be kept informed.

Notes: 

(1) Francios Charles-Roux (1879-1961) French Ambassador to the Holy See, 1932-40.

(2) D’Arcy Osborne (1884-1964), UK Minister to the Holy See, 1936-47.

(3) ADSS 1.115, n1.

(4) Raimondo Giustiniani (1899-1976), Secretary of the Italian Embassy to the Holy See.

(5) Casimir Papée (1889-1979), Polish Ambassador to the Holy See, 1939-58.

(6) Niko Mirosevic Sorgo (1884-1966), Yugoslav Ambassador to the Holy See, 1937-45.

ADSS 1.114 Valeri to Maglione: French shock at German-Soviet pact

ADSS 1.114 Valerio Valeri, France, to Luigi Maglione, Sec State.

Reference: Report 8962/274 (AES 5886/39)

Location and date: Paris, 24.08.1939

Summary statement: Shock in France over the German-Soviet pact; worst feared for Poland; France prepares for war.

Language: Italian

Text:

There is hardly any need to say this, but the Press and public opinion have been shocked and upset by what has happened in Moscow.  In fact, on the one hand, not only has the prestige of England and France been severely affected, the political and military situations have changed.

There is no doubt, on the other hand, that the German-Russian approach-work was put into effect some time ago, since someone who was on very intimate terms with the German Embassy always assured me that the negotiations between the democratic bloc and Russia would never have come to anything. (1) Facts proved him correct.

A few, and perhaps correctly, already express the most serious doubt concerning the fate reserved – in any hypothesis – for poor Poland,  If France and Britain had made more use of the Holy See’s proposal, when the position was different, without doubt Poland would not find itself today in such a difficult and painful positions.

But let us wait for developments within the next few days which, no doubt, will be decisive.  In the meantime, the Government has taken the last military precaution to face up to any eventuality.  It would seem to me, among other things, as I stated at the beginning, that the tone of the Press has already diminished both as far as decision and intransigence are concerned.  On the other hand, the message form the King of the Belgians for a peaceful solution of the present conflict has gone down well. (2)

King Leopold III of Belgium

(The photo was taken in 1934 

during the official mourning for Leopold's father, 

King Albert, hence the black armband.)

Notes: 

(1) Maglione added the words “we knew it also” in the margin.

(2) The Conference of the Oslo Group was being held in Brussels.  In the evening of 23.08.1939 King Leopold spoke via radio, in the name of the six countries represented, appealing for peace. A copy of the appeal and the Pope’s reply was published in ADSS 1 Appendix and an be found here.

ADSS 1.109 Papee to Tardini: German-Soviet Pact

ADSS 1.109 Casimir Papeé, Polish Ambassador to the Holy See, to Domenico Tardini, Secretariat of State.

Reference: AES 6836/39

Location and date: Rome, 22.08.1939

Summary statement: News of an imminent German-Soviet Pact will not change the balance of power in Europe.  Russia will not get involved in a European conflict and would not invade Poland.

Language: Italian

Text:

Written note by Monsignor Tardini.

The Polish Ambassador came this morning.  He said to me:

1. That he does not place a great deal of importance on the German-Soviet Pact.

2. That Russia wishes to remain outside a European conflict.

3. Therefore Russia itself would not intervene against Poland.

During the afternoon the Ambassador sent me the following note:

The announcement of the imminent conclusion of a non-aggression pact between Germany and the USSR, did not make much impression in Warsaw political circles since, on the whole, this does not bring about any changes in the balance of power in Europe.  This announcement demonstrates the wish, on the part of the Russians, to withdraw from the European theatre, a fact that had already been clearly stated during the Anglo-French-Russian negotiations.  This does not have any influence at all and does not alter Poland’s attitude. (2)

Notes: 

(1) Casimir Papeé (1889-1979), Polish Ambassador to the Holy See 1939-58.

(2) Papeé appears to be speaking in accord with instructions received from Warsaw.  The British Ambassador wrote to Lord Halifax: “M. Beck considers this does not make much real difference to the situation, as the Soviet government have been playing a double game for long past.  It made no difference to Poland’s attitude.” DBFP, Series 3, Volume 7, n123, pp 115-16.