Ask the Scholar
Document scope · 1 page
Scholar
Ask about this object, its catalog metadata, its source description, or the page inventory.
For page-specific OCR and visual context, open one of the page chats.
Scholar Source Context
Document identity
localId
290018793
label
Memorandum on Poland
core
doc
dtoType
document
citationUrl
pageCount
1
Source metadata
id
290018793
contentType
document
title
Memorandum on Poland
citationUrl
collections
President's Secretary's Files (Truman Administration)
Subject Files
thumbnailUrl
largeImageUrl
imageCount
1
hasImages
yes
source
import
hasTranscription
no
Source extras
naId
290018793
levelOfDescription
item
recordType
description
ocrSource
nara-archive
Single page context
seq
1
pageIndex
0
type
photo
mediaId
0de441e844c8fae5
ocrText
Poland
Our economic policy in Poland seems to continue to be a negative approach
to isolate ourselves from her trade.
Other Western powers -- notably the United Kingdom, Australia, and New
Zealand are leaving no stones unturned in expanding their trade with Poland
and Czechoslovakia. They are using both clearing agreements and loans.
Loans largely to purchase Australian and New Zealand wool.
Politically, Poland is now held firmly by the Communists. Any chance of
change in administration in the foreseeable future is extremely remote.
Polish Nationals agree that the weaker Poland becomes the firmer she will
be held in Russian grasp.
Ambassador Gallman concurs and has good understanding of whole Polish
situation. Furthermore he has a practical and commonsense viewpoint
regarding steps the United States may well take.
There now exists excellent opportunity to increase Polish coal deliveries
to Western Europe and at substantially decreased prices (25% or more) in
exchange for American cotton.
Western Europe is still importing large quantities of U. S. coal at high
prices.
The cotton spinning industry in Poland is an important segment of Polish
economy. Poland now needs American cotton badly. Supply situation is
serious. For more than a century Poland has secured far more than half
her cotton imports from the United States.
Poland's present overture for coal-cotton trade is sincere, her terms are
unusually liberal--and this may be a test case to see if trade with United
States is possible.
If negotiations become too difficult Poland will look elsewhere for source
of supply and will have made a reasonably good record that trade with
the U. S. is virtually impossible if not absolutely impossible.
Because of Poland's serious cotton supply position, time in which to
conclude favorable deal is short, not over 60 days.
Pertinent facts regarding whole proposal has recently been transmitted
to the Department of State by Ambassador Gallman. Prompt response to
cable is expected and should be made.
Czechoslovakia
With some differences, general situation is quite similar to that of Poland.
AND
SERVICE"