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

845.00/1415: Telegram

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

New Delhi, August 9, 1942—11 a.m.
[Received August 9—6:03 a.m.]

581. Gandhi,³¹ Nehru,³² Azad,³³ and about 20 other Congress leaders were arrested early this morning (reference my 580, August 8, 7 p.m.³⁴).

Speaking before All India Congress Committee last night Gandhi stated that he would make every effort to see Viceroy³⁵ before launching struggle but Government was apparently unimpressed by this statement.

There is as yet no news as to whether, in view of foregoing, movement will be started forthwith.

The Indian defense member confirmed to me last night the explanation given in the last paragraph of telegram referred to above.

Merrell

31. Mohandas K. Gandhi, leader of civil disobedience movement in India.
32. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Congress Party leader; associated with Gandhi in opposition to British rule in India.
33. Maulana Azad, President of the Congress Party.
34. Ante, p. 708.
35. Marquess of Linlithgow.