ADSS 1.44 Cicognani to Howard Carroll, NCWC: please inform FDR

ADSS 1.44 Amleto Cicognani, Apostolic Delegate USA to Howard Carroll (1), Under-Secretary of the National Catholic Welfare Council.

Reference: Attached to report number 366/39 (AES 4632/39)

Location and date: Washington DC, 15.05.1939

Summary statement: Pope asks that FDR be informed of his peace initiatives.

Language: English

Text:

On 03.05.1939 his Eminence Cardinal Maglione, Secretary of State to His Holiness, upon orders received from the Holy Father, directed the diplomatic representatives of the Holy See in France, Germany, England, Italy and Poland to consult with the heads of these Governments in order to determine their intentions concerning peace, and to bring about a realisation that the present international difficulties could find their best solution in a conference of the nations concerned, rather than in wars and constant threats of war.  The proposal of a conference was subordinated to the possibility, necessity or usefulness of such a meeting in the present uncertain political situation.

The steps taken by the Holy See to learn the sentiments of these Governments, and to create a better international feeling have had a measure of success.  In fact the Holy See is of the impression that the Governments consulted are sufficiently well disposed for peace and reluctant to enter into war.  There has also been a noticeable betterment of the general situation and a conference does not seem necessary at the present tie.  In the opinion of the Holy See the previous tense situation has somewhat subsided.

The Holy Father desires that the President of the United States be advised of these steps, through the offices of the Apostolic Delegate, and that he be further informed that His Holiness had intended to invoke his assistance and co-operation in the event that the European Powers had acceded to the suggestion of a Conference.

Notes: 

(1) Howard Carroll (1902-60) Secretary of the NCWC 1938-44.

ADSS 1.43 Cortesi to Maglione: German-Polish tensions

 ADSS 1.43 Filippo Cortesi, Poland to Luigi Maglione, Sec State.

Reference: Report 221 (AES 2605/39)

Location and date: Warsaw, 15.05.1939

Summary statement: German-Polish tensions; Poland will resist German claims; believe Germany is set on destroying Poland.

Language: Italian

Text:

I have the duty of thanking your Eminence for the clear statements contained in your coded dispatch of 10.05.1939 (1), in accordance with which I have already given, at an opportune moment, useful clarifications to the Government, who seemed to be expecting them.

The Minister (2) expressed his appreciation and his full agreement, adding that the Polish Government valued very highly the eager interest shown by the Holy Father in the preservation of peace, and promised to keep me informed about the development of the issue between Poland and Germany.

The position has not changed since the speech of the Chancellor of the Reich, and the reply of the Foreign Minister, M. Beck: the former wants the annexation of Danzig and a motorway and a railway giving access to East Prussia, which would mean handing over a strip of territory of about 900 square kilometres to Germany; the latter firmly rejects both claims. (3)

Although both leave an opening in their statements for the possibility of friendly negotiations, no step has been taken so far in this direction and the tension arising from the Reich’s unilateral denunciation of the “non-aggression” Treaty of 1934 is still grave.

Government and people in Poland, without any difference, are unanimous, firm and decided to remain in this position, convinced that the independence and the integrity of the Country is at stake and confident in the righteousness of the cause they defend, in their own strength and in the grace of God.

I must stress that this Government endeavours with great care and attention to leave no doubts about its desire for peace and collaboration with all nations, starting with its neighbours; they affirm the continuity of their policy of keeping out of any political bloc, and explain in particular how the agreement of mutual defence with Great Britain cannot be construed as a hostile or aggressive act against the Reich.

Regarding this subject the Minister asked me to inform your Eminence that his Government not only refuse the invitation to participate in an agreement with Russia as they have no intention of binding themselves, but are exerting pressure on Great Britain to limit the extent of their agreement with Russia.

I said that the situation is still grave, and it is so although the Polish Government have stated, in a conciliatory manner, their willingness to carry out a revision of the Statutes of the Free City of Danzig, in order to give it the utmost autonomy, and to build with Polish money a motorway through Polish territory to give the Reich free access to East Prussia.

In the meantime, both sides continue their preparations for war, and, although public opinion in general remains calm, the state of unrest grows amongst the German minorities in Poland and with it the chances of a conflict.

A highly-placed person, not Polish, informs me confidentially that, according to news received from a well-informed Berlin source, Hitler is preparing to exert diplomatic pressure on this Government to satisfy his claims.  This person thinks that Hitler has the partition of Poland in mind.

The German Ambassador, now back in Warsaw, has not yet called on the Foreign Minister. (4)

In general, there is no hope here of a peaceful direct settlement.

Notes: 

(1) See ADSS 1.38.

(2) Possibly Felicjan Slawoj Skladowski (1885-1962), Prime Minister of Poland 1936-39.

(3) See ADSS 1.17 for Hitler’s speech and ADSS 1.26 for Beck’s response.

(4) Hans-Adolf Moltke (1884-1943), German Ambassador to Poland 1934-39.

ADSS 1.42 Orsenigo to Maglione: vague responses from German gov't

ADSS 1.42 Cesare Orsenigo, Germany, to Luigi Maglione, Sec State

Reference: Report 27.282 (AES 2597/39)

Location and date: Berlin, 13.05.1939

Summary statement: Orsenigo’s conversations with Weizsäcker and vague reply regarding the Pope’s initiative.  Press attacks against Poland. Relations with the Church.

Language: Italian

Text:

I hasten to complete my coded message Number 325 of yesterday to your Eminence, I which I reported the conversation I had with Dr Weizsäcker, Secretary of State at the Foreign Office. (1)

From the whole conversation, during which very little new information was conveyed to me, I think one must deduct that its only purpose was to delay, with a veiled gesture of courtesy, the true reply which is still awaited.  Besides I detected a certain effort to convince me of the moderation of the German claims to Poland which he, however, did not state, and at the same time to show me the covetous aspirations of certain Polish circles, that – at least according to certain newspapers of that country – set their eyes even on Königsberg, and dream of field battle, naturally victorious at the gates of Berlin.

I listened to all this with great calm and then – in order to underline that a further and more precise reply was expected – I thanked the Secretary of State for the invitation that he would send to me for another talk with von Ribbentrop, expressing my best wishes for the Minster’s prompt recovery.

The German Press still keeps absolute silence about the conversation of the Apostolic Nuncio at Berchtesgaden; Dr Weizsäcker pointed this out to me, criticising at the same time the loquacity of the American and especially of the British newspapers which, according to him, were the first out with the news of the Pope’s initiative and, with a comment more biased than sincere, expressed his regrets that such a noble initiative had been exposed to the comments of the public before it had been crowned with success.

The German newspapers – even today – persist with the anti-Polish propaganda, reporting oppressions against the Germans living in Poland; I enclose a few clippings.

Dr Weizsäcker then spoke, with an intonation which seemed new to me, about the outstanding issues between State and Catholic Church, hoping for a pacifying clarification in the near future.  The same expressions of hope are a times voiced by other members of the Government; there is, however, an opposing current which seems to become more fierce, probably to counteract this new tendency of the moderate wing.  The Holy Father’s initiative on behalf of peace has, also in this respect, influenced public opinion favourably. (2)

Notes: 

(1) See ADSS 1.40.

(2) The original report carries a notation by Domenico Tardini: 21.05.1939 – handed to me by the Holy Father.

ADSS 1.41 Osborne to Maglione: Latest British proposals - promote German-Polish talks

ADSS 1.41 D’Arcy Osborne, UK Minister to Luigi Maglione, Sec State.

Reference: 68/28/39 (AES 2510/39)

Location and date: Rome, 13.05.1939

Summary statement: The British Government would like the Pope to promote German-Polish negotiations and promised to support the Pope’s initiative on behalf of peace.

Language: English

Text:

Note by Domenico Tardini: Second British reply to the proposal in the Papal peace message.

Aide Memoire

His Majesty’s Government have made confidential enquiries in Paris and Warsaw in regard to the views held there in respect of the action on behalf of peace which His Holiness the Pope had under consideration.  From these enquiries it has clearly emerged that the most hopeful procedure would be if His Holiness could take any steps to promote the peaceful negotiation of the issues outstanding between the German and Polish Governments.  While His Majesty’s Government understand that the Pope does not intend to proceed at present with his project, Lord Halifax would like His Holiness to know that His Majesty’s Government would be ready to give all the support in their power whenever he might feel that the time was appropriate for an initiative on the above-mentioned lines.

His Majesty’s Government desire to convey to His Holiness a reiterated expression of their deep appreciation of the motives underlying his action.  Although his enquiries may not at once have produced the full result for which all lovers of peace may have hoped, His Majesty’s Government are confident that the knowledge throughout the world of the interest which he has manifested will exert a powerful moral influence for good.  And it is their earnest hope that, should at any time the opportunity arise of securing general support for a further and maybe wider effort, His Holiness will not fail to grasp it in the common interests of world peace. (1)

Notes: 

(1) This memorandum reiterates in substance Lord Halifax’s message to Osborne of 11.05.1939.  See DBFP Series 3, Volume 5, n487, p 524.

ADSS 1.40 Orsenigo to Maglione: German reply to peace proposal

 ADSS 1.40 Cesare Orsenigo, Germany, to Luigi Maglione, Sec State.

Reference: Telegram 323 (AES 2391/39)

Location and date: Berlin, 12.05.1939.

Summary statement: German government’s reply to peace proposals.  Germany waits for a Polish response to new proposals.

Language: Italian

Text:

Today the Secretary of State at the Foreign Ministry (1) called me up to tell me that the Foreign Minister, back from Italy after having spoken with M. Ciano about the Holy Father’s proposal, was sorry to be unable to speak to me, because unwell, but hoped to be able to receive me in a couple of days. (2)

In the meantime the Secretary of State repeated to me more or less what the Chancellor had told me in Berchtesgaden, namely that there was no danger of immediate war, adding that the outstanding issues, especially between Germany and Poland, had not yet been cleared.

This last phrase could be explained by the news, received confidentially from a private person, according to which Germany had made new proposals to Poland regarding Danzig and the Corridor and was awaiting a reply. (3)

Notes: 

(1) Ernst von Weizsacker (1882-1951), Secretary of State to Foreign Office 1938-43.  Afterwards German Ambassador to the Holy See 1943-45.

(2) Joachim von Ribbentrop (1893-1946), German Foreign Minister 1938-45; Galeazzo Ciano (1903-1944), Italian Foreign Minister 1936-43.  See DGFP, Series D, Volume 6, n372, pp 399-400.

(3) The New York Times reported on 07.05.1939 “Herr Hitler says ‘Yes’ and Colonel Beck says ‘No”; There rests demand of Nazi Germany for incorporation of Danzig into the territory of Third Reich.  Poles to get plebiscite plan.” The Polish government rejected Hitler’s proposals.