694.001/8–1451: Telegram
The Ambassador in India (Henderson) to the Secretary of State
612. 1. Nye saw Nehru today re Jap peace treaty and found him hard to bring to point. Nehru said problem difficult and had caused him great concern. Nye report of conversation mentioned Nehru remarks substantially as fol:
2. Present Jap Govt leaders old milit clique which wld want rearm as much and fast as possible. He thought younger elements had different views and we might find govt with different outlook of picture.
[Page 1271]3. Asked whether anything prevent Chiang Kai-Shek from signing treaty, which he thought Japan might want and US wld support. Nye had replied he thought this very unlikely as Japan much dependent, particularly economically, on reaching understanding continental China.
4. Rearmament going on everywhere cause for great concern. If US intentions were not to be distrusted …1 at least its policies were. US seemed consider war, if not certain at least probable and was subordinating economic and all other considerations to that belief.
5. GOI Cabinet had in past thought no reason go San Francisco unless treaty altered, but wld not finally decide until US and UK replies cld be considered.
6. Mrs. Pandit being recalled for consultation end of week.
7. Nye said his suggestion that GOI might make statement GOI attitude at San Francisco seemed make no impression Nehru; and he (Nye) thought GOI attitude unlikely become known for week or longer.
8. Cumming-Bruce2 expressed opinion that Soviet acceptance invitation to conference likely cause GOI wait and see what transpires at conference.