Office of the Historian

845.00/2152: Telegram

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

New Delhi, October 8, 1943—9 a.m.
[Received 3:53 p.m.]

726. The following comment on the political atmosphere here on the eve of the arrival of Wavell may be of interest to the Department:

1.
The appointment of Wavell whom Indians generally regard as a reactionary of the old school was all that was required to convince them that Britain has no intention of trying to reach a settlement with the national leaders. Opinion appears about equally divided between those who think Wavell will do nothing but follow Linlithgow’s policy and those who believe he may make some half-hearted offer such as complete Indianization of executive councils which would be acceptable to no representative party but rejection of which would enable Britain to say (particularly for American consumption) that its offer of cooperation had again been spurned.
2.
Indians in general are very disappointed that Ambassador Phillips’ report to the President has produced no tangible results in favor of India. They conclude that he failed to convince either American officials or Churchill of the desirability of enlisting Nationalist India’s full support in war effort of United Nations.
3.
Government of India’s mishandling of food problem has added tremendously to bitterness already created by Linlithgow’s attitude toward political situation during past 12 months.
4.
Even moderates who a few months ago were holding meetings and passing resolutions calling on Britain to make a move to end deadlock or allow someone to see Gandhi for this purpose have now lapsed into [Page 231] a silence of utter hopelessness. Only an occasional appeal from the optimist Rajagopalachari breaks the political gloom which has settled on the country.
5.
Anti-British feeling has reached a new high and American prestige here has suffered a decided fall as most nationally minded Indians have concluded that the present war, as far as East is concerned, is being fought for preservation of white domination.
6.
Despite foregoing or perhaps because of it, it is believed that most Nationalists outside jail are in a better mood to reach a compromise settlement with Britain now along lines of Cripps’ proposals than they were 12 months ago if for no other reason than to assure presence of popular leaders at peace conference. It is, of course, impossible to know attitude of leaders who are in prison. However, according to Rajagopalachari, who is in a position to know, period of incarceration always makes Indian leaders more willing to compromise.

Merrell