Lane. (The foregoing account of this conversation has been cleared
as to accuracy with Tonesk 63 who acted as interpreter with Gomulka
and was present at conversation with Lebedieff which was in French
and Russian).
  In view of Soviet and Polish obvious intention to discredit US
because UNRRA action I earnestly recommend that in the President's
reply to Bierut there be reference to misapprehensions which appear
to have arisen regarding curtailing of grain shipments to Poland
with a full explanation of reasons actuating UNRRA action.64  It
is doubtful whether anything we say or do will induce Soviet au-
thorities to admit our actions are in good faith. The Polish people,
however, would in my opinion believe an official statement from the
President of the US. I could at same time test the alleged freedom
of the press in Poland by requesting that the telegram be published
here.
  There is no doubt in my mind of the serious nature of the local
political situation, phase of which is the food shortage. I shall re-
port further as soon as I have talked with Mikolajczyk.
  Sent to Department as 242; repeated to Moscow as 12.
                                                            [LANE]
860C.00/2-2646
       Memorandumn of Conversation, by the Secretary of State

TOP SECRET                      [WASHINGTON.,] February 26, 1946.
  Mr. Balfour 65 requested an appointment to see the Secretary
to discuss the Polish situation. Mr. Balfour stated that Lord Hali-
fax 66 is away until the end of the week and he wished to get the Sec-
retary's views rather urgently. He handed the Secretary an Aide-
Me'moire 6setting forth several points the British would like clarified.
  Mr. Balfour said the British wondered whether the Secretary
would be inclined to make a statement on the Polish elections similar
to the statement Bevin made on February 20.68
  The Secretary pointed out that receit information from Poland
makes the situation rather confused. In the last day or two he said
he had heard that Mikolajczyk is asking 75 per cent of the positions
in the Government. One source stated he is determined he will not

  ' Lt. William J. Tonesk, Assistant Naval Attache and Assistant Naval Attache
for Air.
  " For texts of the exchange of messages between President Bierut and
Presi-
dent Truman regarding the critical grain shortage in Poland, see Department
of
State Bulletin, March 31, 1946, p. 542.
  John Balfour, British Charge.
  "British Ambassador.
  7 Infra.
  " For a summary of Bevin's statement of February 20 to the House of
Com-
mons, see numbered paragraph 3 of the British Embassy's aide-mdmoire, infra.



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