Foreign Relations of the United States, 1946, The British Commonwealth, Western and Central Europe, Volume V

845.00/12–1946: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Chargé in India (Merrell)

secret

Washington, December 19, 1946—7 p.m.

939. Your reports on talks with Congress leaders most helpful. Suggest you now in your discretion seek early opportunity discuss with Jinnah or Liaquat Ali Khan or both our attitude re present constitutional impasse as outlined Deptels 893, 897, and 919.⁶⁴ Point to be particularly stressed is our doubt that Congress attitude re provincial groupings can be modified unless accompanied by public declaration or other tangible evidence of Muslim League willingness to cooperate loyally within framework of Indian Federal Union to be established in accordance Cabinet Mission plan.

You may add that we are fully aware as indicated Acheson statement of need for providing in Indian Federal Union ample scope for Muslim political and economic aspirations but that atmosphere for creating necessary safeguards can never be achieved unless the concept of union itself is generally accepted by the principal parties.

We perceive no objection your mentioning that you have also discussed question with Congress leaders.

Sent to New Delhi, repeated to London.

Byrnes

64. November 30, December 3, and December 11, respectively.