CHARGE SUPPORTED

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 56, 4 September 1944, Page 1

CHARGE SUPPORTED

CHANDLER'S EVIDENCE

NEW YORK, September 2. The Washington correspondent of the "New York Times" says that Senator Albert B. Chandler (Democrat, Kentucky) replied to the denials by Lord Halifax and' the State Department that Mr. Phillips was declared persona non grata in India by handing to the Press a copy of a cable which is claimed to have been sent to the Secretary for India (Mr. L. S. Amery) by Sir Olaf Caroe, Secretary of .the External Affairs Department of the Government of India.' The cable, which was not dated, said: "We feel strongly that the British Embassy should be supported in carrying this matter (a report by Drew Pearson in the "Washington Post" stating that Mr. Phillips had reported to President Roosevelt that the British were hot taking measures to improve conditions and establish confidence among the Indian people; also that the Indian Army and people would not participate in the war with any force until they were promised independence) further with the State Department. We stopped this particular message coming into the country* and are doing our best to prevent the entry of newspapers and letters carrying the text of the Pearson article. "It is regrettable that we have to use the censorship in defence against such an attack by our greatest ally. We understand that Mr. Phillips's designation is still the President's personal representative in India. "Whether or not he is connected in any way, the leakage of -the views which he has stated would make it impossible for us to do other than regard him as persona non grata; "We could not again receive him." His views are not what we are entitled to expect from a ' professedly friendly envoy. The Viceroy (FieldMarshal Lord Wavell/ has seen this telegram." Senator Chandler said: "My only purpose in bringing up the question was to point out that I had obtained information which I believe to be correct regarding Mr. Phillips's status. I desire an inquiry. "Lord Halifax's and the State Department denials are only a diplomatic way of making it appear as though they have denied the charge, while in reality saying something else." The State Department has repeated its denial. A. British Embassy spokesman said that even if the text of Sir Olaf Caroe's cables is found to be correct, it would merely be considered as a private report from one official in India to another. In London a spokesman expressed surprise that an American Senator could obtain a copy of a coded message between two British officials.