Mr. William Phillips, Personal Representative of President Roosevelt to India, to the President 60a
Dear Mr. President: I called this morning upon Lord Wavell to pay my respects, as he is leaving next week for Delhi. I came away feeling more hopeful than I had expected.
In his recent speech before the Pilgrim Society, he had made a very friendly reference to India, adding that “all classes and sections of opinion in this country (England) are firmly united in the desire to give every possible assistance to India in her aspirations to full freedom.” I complimented him on his speech and expressed the hope that he would find it possible to implement his reference to India’s aspirations.
I thought it a good occasion to tell him of our interest in India’s problems and that you stood ready to be of help, if help was desired, in the event that steps might be undertaken to break the present political deadlock. He asked me whether I was planning to return to India. I explained your position, which I understood to be that if I could [Page 229] contribute, as the representative of the President, you might ask me to return, otherwise I would not do so. Lord Wavell expressed his appreciation, indicating without actually saying so, that he might be glad of such help. He added that he would let us know if an opening presented itself when American assistance would be useful.
He talked of the difficulties but he admitted rather significantly that they alone should not prevent a genuine effort, if such seemed feasible.
I told him that we thoroughly understood the difficulties; that we were sympathetic to the Indian plea for independence by reason of our historical background; that we were more than ever interested now because of the presence of American forces and that we felt the importance of holding India friendly to the white races rather than to allow a situation to develop which might tend to turn her sympathies more and more in the direction of the East.
I expressed the hope personally, that he would have a try at breaking the deadlock and even though he failed, I thought the mere try would have a beneficial effect.
While Wavell may not be, and probably is not, carrying an olive branch from Churchill, there was nothing in his attitude to indicate the same rigidity of policy as that of Lord Linlithgow. In manner he is slow and unapproachable but he is a good and a highly-principled man, and we can hope at least, that he will make an effort at collaboration with the Indian political leaders and see whether anything can be done along the lines of negotiation. And that is about all that can be expected in the immediate future.
The American and British Members of Cossac60b have given me a cordial welcome and I am gradually learning to understand their language. I only hope that I may be able to contribute something towards the great undertaking.
With kindest remembrances,
Sincerely yours,