845.00/1900: Telegram
Mr. William Phillips, Personal Representative of President Roosevelt in India, to the Secretary of State
[Received 11:07 p.m.]
257. I returned to Delhi last night. In view of Viceroy’s refusal to permit a small delegation of Indian leaders to consult with Gandhi (see my 256 of today) it is doubtful whether he would respond favorably to any request that I might make to see Gandhi and Nehru. However, I propose to ask Viceroy for permission to do so in view of the fact that I am returning at the end of the month to Washington for consultation and that without contact with any of the Congress leaders I cannot fulfill the mission with which the President has entrusted me. In this connection please refer to my 114, February 8.
It would strengthen my request if I were in a position to say that my Government hopes that my request for permission to visit Gandhi and Nehru will be granted. May I have your views.