740.0011 European War 1939/442: Telegram
The Chargé in Germany (Kirk) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 19—9:08 a.m.]
1329. Information received from the War Ministry by the Military Attaché confirms the fact that German and Russian troops have made [Page 443] contact at Brest and that the Russians have occupied Vilna. In further conversation at the War Ministry it was intimated that, after negotiations, a territorial settlement with Russia would be made which would be determined partly on political grounds and that German troops would probably be withdrawn west of the Vistula. It was further intimated that a small Polish state might eventually be created. In addition it was indicated that Vilna had been offered to Lithuania but that Lithuania had not acted promptly on this offer as it preferred to await a final peace settlement in order to put forward its claim.
In the Ministry of Marine the Naval Attaché was shown a map on which the future German-Russian boundary was indicated as follows: The line of the Narew river to junction of the Narew and the Vistula—to Warsaw, Warsaw to go to Russia—line of Vistula to Lemberg, Lemberg to go to Germany—Lemberg due South. It was intimated at the office of the Ministry of Marine also that a small Polish state with Warsaw as its capital might possibly be created.
Inform War and Navy.