330/7–1650: Telegram
The Ambassador in India (Henderson) to the Secretary of State
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[Received July 16—6:14 a. m.]
97. 1. At request Bajpai, Secretary General, Ministry External Affairs, I called on him this morning. He said he had just received copy Stalin’s reply1 and was repeating it to Mme. Pandit with instructions that she discuss it with Department.
2. He showed me draft telegram to Mme. Pandit enclosing reply and containing instructions.
3. As I recall it, reply was in effect somewhat as follows: Stalin expressed appreciation of India’s suggestions. He agreed that participation all five great powers in SC was prerequisite to settlement Korean question and, that in order for that question properly to be considered by SC, it should “hear representatives of the Korean people”
4. Instructions to Mme. Pandit were brief. They told her, as I recall it, to convey further appeal from Nehru to Secretary of State and also through Secretary of State to President for favorable consideration of admittance Chinese Communists into SC. It was pointed out that continued opposition on part of Western Powers to such admittance at this time might make them vulnerable to Communist propaganda, that they were standing in way of possible solution of Korean problem. It was true that admission Chinese Communists would be “act of faith” but in view of importance of issues involved, in opinion of Government of India there should be act of faith.
5. I was unable in glancing briefly through documents to make any notes or to commit all points to memory. Bajpai assured me however, that document itself and appeal would be conveyed to US Government within few hours. My description therefore of telegram to Mme. Pandit is not entirely accurate. Nevertheless I believe it fairly represents substance of Stalin’s reply and of Government of India instructions.
6. I took advantage to convey to Bajpai information contained in telegram 68, July 15.2 I made no comment with regard to Nehru’s [Page 402] appeals and answers thereto other than to state that I was confident that regardless of nature our reply my government fully appreciated constructive motives behind Prime Minister’s various messages. Bajpai replied that he hoped we would appreciate motives, but he hoped still more that our answer would be favorable.
- Transmitted to the Secretary of State by Madame Pandit on July 17, p. 407.↩
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The text of this telegram read as follows:
“For the Ambassador. Press reports emanating from Washington, misinterpreting statements by Dept spokesman do not reflect our answer to Nehru’s message. Pls indicate to Bajpai we expect to have an early reply and our attitude should not be anticipated from erroneous press accounts.” (791.00/7–1550)
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