845.24/424: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Officer in Charge at New Delhi (Merrell)
266. Ambassador Phillips is writing Lane fully by airmail as to the nature of his new duties.31 In the meantime in order that the Department may be fully informed and thus able to evaluate the political significance of proposed shipments to India comment on civilian requirements approved by Ecker is desired.
Pending receipt of the Ambassador’s letter to Lane which will also advise the Mission as to the scope of the comment needed by the Department, the Mission should cable briefly what materials are involved and whether in the light of the inadequacy of supply and [Page 270] shipping space the Department should for reasons of policy support the request at the “War Production Board. In this connection refer for example to the Mission’s 355 of May 20, 6 p.m.32
The Department’s function in the supply of essential civilian requirements is to coordinate the activities of other agencies, so that they are kept in harmony with over-all policies and the attainment of the objectives of the Mission is facilitated.