845.00/4–1848: Telegram
The Ambassador in India (Grady) to the Secretary of State
299. GOI–Hyderabad talks have again ceased and both Governments have agreed make no statement re status negotiations which according Hyderabad spokesman have reached “delicate stage”. Following is substance information given Donovan by Layard of UK High Commissioner’s Office:
GOI has told Hyderabad responsible government must be introduced immediately and that constitution must be framed by elected Constituent Assembly, also that communal armies must be dissolved. Symon1 believes GOI will force matter and that if Hyderabad is compelled to accede by undue pressure, serious civil disturbances will occur. V. P. Menon2 told Mountbatten recently that if Mountbatten [Page 337] were not here, question of Hyderabad would have been settled by this time. Layard interprets Menon’s remark to mean GOI has refrained from drastic measures because of Mountbatten’s presence.
Layard said 300 British residents in Hyderabad city had worked out their own defense scheme which includes 14 Americans residing there. UK High Commissioner3 is working out plans for evacuation by air to Madras or Bombay in case trouble occurs.
UK High Commissioner is sending radio operator with small transmitter to Hyderabad today.
Layard believes there will be lull in situation for few days at least and he admits that even if riots occur, foreigners might not be molested but points out and Embassy agrees that population of Hyderabad at such times frequently reacts in violent and unpredictable manner. Further information will be available afternoon twentieth re evacuation scheme.
Bombay Madras informed. Department please repeat London if desired.