845.00/8–844
The British Minister (Campbell) to the Acting Secretary of State
Dear Ed: When speaking with you this afternoon on Drew Pearson’s article reproducing William Phillips’ report to the President [Page 242] about India, I mentioned that J. J. Singh’s India League was about to publish an appeal to His Majesty’s Government for immediate grant of Indian independence. I now hear that with this appeal which is to be published tomorrow, August 9th, they will also publish a photostatic copy of the Drew Pearson article. This seems to me to underline the desirability of a statement clearly dissociating the United States Government from the opinions expressed by Phillips on the three matters I mentioned, viz: (a) morale of Indian Army, (b) British role in the war against Japan, and (c) Mr. Churchill’s statement on the application of the Atlantic Charter to India. It also seems to indicate that the sooner such a statement can be made the better.
Yours ever