Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1942, General; the British Commonwealth; the Far East, Volume I

845.00/1384: Telegram

The Officer in Charge at New Delhi ( Merrell ) to the Secretary of State

New Delhi , July 22, 1942—4 p.m.
[Received July 22—9:54 a.m.]

505. I am of course entirely ignorant as to the plans for a Chief of Mission here. In the event however that Colonel Johnson is not returning to India I venture to recommend that if the United States is to participate in the settlement of this problem the extreme importance and delicacy of the undertaking would warrant the appointment of a trained diplomat of great distinction and prestige. (Reference is; made to my 501, July 21, noon, and previous telegrams on the same subject).

As viewed from here the appointment of Ambassador Phillips¹⁰ would seem so ideal that I cannot refrain from suggesting his name.

Merrell

10. William Phillips, former Ambassador in Italy; at this time Director of the London office of the Office of Strategic Services.