“It is questionable whether military success in the West can be achieved by a quick decision, questionable too is the attitude of Poland.
“The Polish government will not resist pressure from Russia. Poland sees danger in a German victory in the West, and will attempt to rob us of the victory.
“There is therefore no question of sparing Poland, and we are left with the decision:
“To attack Poland at the first suitable opportunity. [This sentence is underscored in the original German text.]
“We cannot expect a repetition of the Czech affair. There will be war. Our task is to isolate Poland. The success of the isolation will be decisive.
“Therefore, the Fuehrer must reserve the right to give the final order to attack. There must be no simultaneous conflict with the Western Powers [France and England].
“If it is not certain that a German-Polish conflict will not lead to war in the West, then the fight must be primarily against England and France.
“Fundamentally therefore: Conflict with Poland—beginning with an attack on Poland—will only be successful if the Western Powers keep out of it. If this is impossible, then it will be better to attack in the West and to settle Poland at the same time.
“The isolation of Poland is a matter of skillful politics.
“Japan is a weighty problem. Even if at first for various reasons her collaboration with us appears to be somewhat cool and restricted, it is nevertheless in Japan’s own interest to take the initiative in attacking Russia in good time.