Foreign Relations of the United States, 1948, The Near East, South Asia, and Africa, Volume V, Part 1

501.BC/5–1348

The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Douglas) to the Secretary of State

secret

London, May 13, 1948—1 p. m.

2093. Patrick CRO (Commonwealth Relations Office) spoke Embassy officer May 11 as follows re Kashmir Commission:

1. Since parties are not agreed re SC resolution, chairman, rather than administrator, is number one job. Patrick hopes and expects American to be elected chairman and believes chairman should proceed by air to Srinagar at earliest possible moment without stopping either at Delhi or Karachi. He thinks chairman should depart if necessary before other commission members ready to go and later convene commission Srinagar. Presence chairman, preferably with personal guard 10 or 20 US Marines to build up his prestige, would in Patrick’s view, go far steady situation. Another prestige builder would be to fly chairman Srinagar in US military or presidential airplane.

2. For post of administrator CRO has asked Australian Government make available Judge Kirby.

3. Patrick said CRO has been hoping US Government could spare Lieutenant General Wheeler¹ for post chairman. However he was sure anyone USG could produce quickly would do good job.

Sent Department 2093, repeated Karachi 40, New Delhi 34.

Douglas

1. Lt Gen. Raymond A. Wheeler, Chief of Engineers, U.S. Army, 1945–1948, and formerly Deputy Supreme Commander of Allied Forces in Southeast Asia.