123 P 54/616: Telegram
The Officer in Charge at New Delhi (Merrell) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 8—2:05 p.m.]
621. Officers of the Mission are being constantly asked by British and Indians whether Ambassador Phillips is returning to India. At the suggestion of Mr. Phillips, the uniform reply has been that he would not return during the hot weather. As the hot season is drawing to a close, this explanation is beginning to wear a bit thin and inquirers are beginning to expect information as to approximate date of arrival. As a decision in this matter will presumably be taken in the relatively near future, it is suggested that, if unfortunately developments do not occur which the Department and Mr. Phillips feel would justify his return to India, adverse criticism might be minimized here if the Department were to issue some such statement as the following:
“In view of recent developments in Italy58 and in view of the fact that Mr. Phillips is an expert on Italian affairs, the U. S. Government does not feel that it can spare him to return to India at this time.”
- For correspondence relating to the surrender of Italy, see Vol. ii, pp. 314 ff.↩