845.001/83
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 1.]
Sir: I have the honor to enclose59 herewith, as received today from the India Office, the text of the speech made by Field Marshal Viscount Wavell, Viceroy-Designate to India, at a large luncheon given in his honor in London on September 16 by The Pilgrims. There are also enclosed the fullest news account (Daily Telegraph) carried in the press here about the luncheon, and one of the many friendly editorials (Daily Herald) on Lord Wavell’s remarks. The press coverage of the occasion was reported in the Embassy’s telegram 6227 of September 17.60
It is clear that great effort and great care is being directed by the British Government toward taking advantage of the designation of Lord Wavell as Viceroy to improve relations with and concerning India. It is noteworthy that since his designation he has been pushed forward here so that Americans can get an impression of him. The impression which he makes on people is almost always an extremely favorable one: a man of simplicity, very great sincerity, broad experience, human sympathy, wide reading, modesty, faith in the possibility of betterment, and devotion to solid reform and progress. He seems to combine capability and rare strength of character.
Not only does a large function in his honor by The Pilgrims, a society devoted to good relations among the English-speaking peoples, indicate the importance attached to his appointment by reason of its possible effect upon opinion in the United States; earlier, in July, Mr. Eden was host at a small and intimate luncheon which ranking officers of the United States Army, Navy and Embassy attended where opportunity was provided for Lord Wavell to show simply and informally the attitude which marks his assumption of duties as Viceroy. It would seem probable that a major purpose of the British Government in selecting Wavell is the desire to bring about a more approving American public opinion with regard to British handling of the India question.
[Page 228]A few aspects of Lord Wavell’s statements concerning India stand out as noteworthy:
- (1)
- He is careful to give full credit for the large assistance in men and goods and services which India has provided in the present war at critical times.
- (2)
- While acknowledging the continuing needs of prosecution of the war against Japan, he shows a frank appreciation of the economic, social and political trials of India.
- (3)
- In favoring peacetime spending in wartime volume he asserts that in India the evils of poverty, lack of education, and disease have to be met on possibly a greater scale than anywhere else.
Although it cannot be said that Lord Wavell has committed himself, as new Viceroy to India, to any specific program of reform, it can nevertheless be said that he gives a convincing appearance of going to his duties with an open mind and fervent desire to improve India’s lot, so far as his own personal attitude is concerned. As to the degree to which he may be able to swing British policy in the direction of his own views, there is little evidence on which to base an appraisal; but he is being launched in his new function with unusual official efforts to indicate full support.
Respectfully yours,
First Secretary of Embassy