746E.13/3–1154: Telegram
The Ambassador in Ceylon (Crowe) to the Department of State
286. For Jernegan. Since you left I have done a lot more thinking on question inviting Sir John to visit US and have come to conclusion that if we intend to do it at all, now would be time. I do not mean to ask him for a specific date but simply let him tell papers here that he has been invited for some indefinite time in future. (He hoped as I told you visit could be in June.)
My reasons for this are that C. C. Desai, Indian High Commissoner, is moving Nirvana and earth to swing Sir John into Indian orbit before Prime Ministers conference begins April 28. In addition to amiable terms which India allowed Ceylon on Tamil issue and red carpet which Nehru spread for Ceylon party in Delhi, Madame Pandit1 is coming here next week to level her heavy guns and charm on him. A Ceylon parliamentary delegation has been invited to visit India.
Everyone knows, moreover, that despite press report last December he has not received an invitation to states, and consequent loss of face [Page 1605] obviously peeves him and might tend make him more receptive Nehru’s ideas at conference than he might ordinarily be. On other hand if he went into conference with assurance that US was interested in him it would certainly strengthen his position.
I would appreciate it if you would discuss with Henry and Don2 and let me know your joint reaction as soon as possible. To tender Sir John such an invitation just before the Prime Minister’s conference would certainly look like bribery, but I think it could be done with reasonable safety.