124.45/58: Telegram
Mr. William Phillips, Personal Representative of President Roosevelt in India, to the Secretary of State
[Received 6:18 p.m.]
274. Acting Secretary of External Affairs has now replied that, if such additional and high ranking officers are really desired, Government [Page 237] of India has no objection to their assignment. He explained, however, that on account of present constitutional position and due to possibility of setting embarrassing precedents Government does not feel that it can agree to use of designations ordinarily only used in Embassies or Legations. This applies to “First, Second, and Third Secretaries” as well as “Counselors”. He added that as constitution72 stands at present it is impossible to send or receive missions with full diplomatic status and admitted “off the record” that above decision had been made in London (my telegram 242, March 27, 4 p.m.)
- An act to make further provision for the Government of India, August 2, 1935, Great Britain, The Public General Statutes, 25 & 26 Geo. V, ch. 42, p. 569.↩