ADSS 1.34 Stanislaw Janikowski to Maglione: Polish response to current tensions

 ADSS 1.34 Stanislaw Janikowski, counsellor and charge d’affairs, Polish Embassy to the Holy See (1) to Luigi Maglione, Sec State.

Reference: AES 2600/39.

Location and date: Warsaw 09.05.1939.

Summary statement: The Polish Government’s ideas on the situation at present and Polish policy.

Language: French

Text:

In pursuance of our conversation on the 13^th of this month [sic] I am pleased to send your Eminence the enclosed note. I do not need to point out the strictly confidential character of this communication.

PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL

Summary of the conversation between His Excellency the Apostolic Nuncio in Poland and the Foreign Minister which tool place at Warsaw on 9 May 1939. (2)

Extract

Speaking with His Excellency the Nuncio on 9 May and after having pointed out the non-official character of this personal contact I have expressed the opinion that the incomprehensible lack of courage on the part of Italy has created acute difficulties in the present international situation.  I have added, strictly privately that the visit of Ciano in Poland made me feel slightly disappointed. (3) I told His Excellency the Nuncio that having constantly looked after the Italian interests regarding their dealings with Berlin I could not, nevertheless, fail to note a visible fear to be shown by Ciano every time the German problem came up during talks.  That is why these talks could not go beyond the limits of feeling and courtesy.

I have never had the intention to undermine the politics of the Axis, but I believed that as regards the problems of Eastern Europe Italy could have shown a little more of their own political thought.  I expected, even o the part of Ciano, some appreciation, perhaps more marked on this subject.  But I was completely disappointed.

One could perhaps avoid the separation of Europe into two hostile blocs if Italy had [sic] shown more decision in the affairs of Eastern Europe in this case she would certainly have had Poland as a partner.

I have consequently underlined the fact that the “last bridges have not yet been burnt” and this thanks to our attitude with regard to the Anglo-Russian discussions.  This attitude has provoked a limitation of British engagements with regard to Russia and it is the Polish policy, which has made it possible not to draw Russia into the game.

I have requested His Excellency the Nuncio to inform the Holy Father confidentially that during the course of talks in London I expressed myself as follows: The Anglo-Polish drawing together is only a measure of prevention against the war, whereas the promise of Russia already plainly signifies a war policy. (4) I believe that in order to choose the latter there is still plenty of time.

Notes:

(1) Stanislaw Janikowski (1891-1965), Counsellor and Charge d’affairs, Polish Embassy to the Holy See 1937-39. 

(2) Filippo Cortesi (1876-1947) Nuncio to Poland 1936-47; Jozef Beck (1894-1944) Polish Foreign Minister 1932-39.

(3) Galeazzo Ciano (1904-1944) Italian Foreign Minister 1936-43, visited Poland between 26.02 and 01.03.1939.  Ciano visit was welcomed by many as a hoped for sign of Italian support for Poland.  They were to be bitterly disappointed as Beck points out.

(4) On 31.03.1939 Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain made a public declaration that Britain would support Poland in the event of attack.

ADSS 3.1.131 Janikowski to Maglione: Anti-Jewish agitation in Poland

Stanislaw Janikowski (1891-1965) was a counsellor and charge d'affaires at the Polish Embassy to the Holy See from 1937 to 1939 after which he remained in Rome for the rest of the war.  His note addressed to Cardinal Maglione, the Secretary of State again points to the considerable amount of information making its way to Rome.  Regardless of whether or not the information was entirely accurate, what is clear is that the Germans were engaged in vigorous anti-Jewish propaganda using traditional Catholic stereotyping of Jews to fuel potential violence. 

Persecution of Jews in Warsaw had begun immediately after the arrival of the German troops and while establishment of the ghetto was still some months away, Jews, their homes and businesses, were already targets of random and planned German violence. 

Vilna had been the scene of a major anti-Jewish riot in October 1939 where local police sided with the Antisemites.  At the same time an estimated 14,000 Polish Jews had fled to Vilna to escape the Germans.

Holy Week had been a traditional time on the Christian calendar for expressions of anti-Jewish sentiment in reaction to the focus in Catholic liturgy and piety on the suffering of Jesus.  However, religiously induced pogroms, such as the one mentioned here, were rare in the 20th century.  I suspect much of the information could well have been more myth than fact.

Stanislaw Janikowski

ADSS 3.1.131 Stanislaw Janikowski, Polish charge d’affaires to Maglione

Reference: AES 3128/40

Location and date: Rome, 05.04.1940

Summary: German propaganda in Poland setting Christians against Jews.  Attacks on Jews during Holy Week.  Vandalism in a synagogue at 90 Wilkomierska Street. ‘Pogrom’ in Vilnius. 

Language: French

Text:

German propaganda, together with that part of the press in neutral countries dependent on Germany, are trying to poison relations between Christians and Jews in Poland.  To this effect they are spreading rumours about “pogroms” that would take place in Poland. 

It should be noted that in the first place, no “pogrom” could take place without the support, at least passively, of the people.

We are also aware from various sources, all completely reliable, that there are organised groups, paid and protected by the “Gestapo”, who tried to plunder Jewish shops in Warsaw, on Friday 22 March [1940].  This looting was organised for Good Friday, to confirm the German rumour, that during Holy Week Catholics have cause to hate the Jews.

The German press and its affiliates propagated the notice that a “pogrom” took place in Vilna in 24 March, Easter Sunday. Here is what actually happened as reported by the authentically informed press in Vilna.

“On Sunday last, at about three o’clock in the afternoon, a group of thieves entered the synagogue at 90 Wilkomierska Street.  They were seen by the guard there, who forced them to flee before they forced the locks to the room which held the utensils used for worship”.

Note from the Secretariat of State.

06.04.1940.  This note was brought by Monsignor Meystowicz, ecclesiastical advisor to the Polish Embassy to the Holy See.(1)  It confirms the very sad news coming from their country. He wants the Holy See to lift its voice in comfort, and deplore the many evils inflicted on Poland.  The ambassador of Poland made the same request.(2)

Cross references: 

(1) Valerian Meystowicz, (1883-1982) was ordained in 1924.  He worked as secretary to Archbishop Romuald Jalbrzykowski until 1932.  He was appointed as a counsellor to the Polish Embassy to the Holy See from Vilna where he taught canon law.  He moved to Rome at the outbreak of the war and remained there for the rest of his life. 

(2) Casimir Papee, (1889-1979), Ambassador 1939-1958.