845.00/1911: Telegram
Mr. William Phillips, Personal Representative of President Roosevelt in India, to the Secretary of State
[Received April 8—1:35 a.m.]
269. Yesterday I had a 3¾ hours talk with Jinnah, President of the All-India Muslim League. He insisted that Pakistan is in every [Page 214] way practicable and the only solution of Indian problem. Why should Hindus object he said when they would have as their share three-fourths of India including most of its wealth. In comparison Pakistan would be poor but would be a block of 40,000,000’s comprising a state within the British Commonwealth.
Its close relations with Hindu India would be governed by treaties.
He regards the war as India’s war and assured me that he himself stood ready to help in every way towards victory. Certainly, he added, Muslim Armed Forces are doing their duty.
In reply to my question as to what part Muslim League would play in a provisional representative coalition government at the center he said that assuming such a program came within present constitution League would gladly be represented on equal terms with Congress Party (5–5 is a figure of 10 mentioned). He doubted that Gandhi would cooperate, but at same time he admitted that no one knew Gandhi’s present state of mind.
The Department will recollect that Jinnah has insisted in the past that British Government should give guarantee to right of Pakistan before cooperation could be expected. Having this in mind I suggested that since Gandhi was opposed to a divided India would not such a British announcement merely muddy the waters further and make it more difficult for Congress Party to cooperate at center. In circumstances I added could he not modify his position in interest of India’s war effort.
Jinnah’s reply should be noted. While he could not, he said, give me a straight answer he could assure me that he would not stand in way of any plan which would further war effort. Position of League was “merely defensive” which I interpreted as meaning that right to Pakistan must be maintained.
He cordially distrusts Gandhi, but admits that until Gandhi’s attitude is known little progress can be made.