845.24/221
Memorandum by Mr. Theodore C. Achilles of the Division of European Affairs
On August 4 Sir Frederick Phillips told Mr. Acheson that he had received a telegram from London expressing the hope that this Government would not raise the question of an agreement concerning reverse lend-lease in India. Either an agreement between this Government and the United Kingdom concerning reverse lend-lease in India or an agreement between this Government and the Government of India would be open to serious political objections. He said that reverse lend-lease was in fact being furnished our forces in India by British forces there and that present informal arrangements were expected to continue and to be expanded as necessary.
Mr. Acheson said that he realized the political complications which would be involved in any sort of a formal agreement and that he saw no reason at this time why we should raise the question. He thought it would be sufficient for the War Department to advise the Commanding General at Karachi that the absence of any mention of India in the Lend-Lease agreement with the United Kingdom should not interfere with the existing arrangements for his obtaining reverse lend-lease. Mr. Acheson also made clear that we were not committing ourselves not to raise the matter at some time in the future should events make it appear desirable.
Mr. Bewley telephoned me today of the receipt of a further telegram from London expressing appreciation for Mr. Acheson’s attitude and concurrence that existing arrangements for the furnishing by the British forces in India of materials and supplies to the United States forces there should continue.