RIFT OVER INDIA

Grey River Argus, 12 September 1944, Page 7

RIFT OVER INDIA

Britain and U.S.A. WAS ROOSEVELT’S ENVOY SHUNTED ? NEW YORK, Sept. 2. The “New York Times’s” Washington correspondent says: Senator Chandler has replied to denials oy Lord Halifax (British Ambassador) and the State Department, that U.S. Ambassador Phillips has been declared persona non grata in India. Me did so by handing to the press the copy of a cable which he claimed wits sent to Mr. Leapold Amery (British Secretary for India) by Sir Olaf Caroe, Secretary of the External Affairs Department of India. The cable, which is undated, stated: “We feel strongly that the British Embassy should be supported in carrying further this matter with the U.S. State Department. The matter is a report by Mr. Drew Pearson in the “Washington Post,” stating that Ambassador Phillips has reported to Mr. Roosevelt that th e British are not taking measures to improve conditions or to establish confidence among the Indian people, and also that the Indian Army and, people would not participate in the war with any force until they are promised their independence. The cable added: “We have stopped this particular message from coming into t’he country. We are doing our best to prevent the entry or newspapers and letters carrying the text of the Pearson article. It is regrettable that we have to use the censorship in defence against sucn, an attack by our greatest ally. We understand Mr. Phillips' designation is still that of the President’s personal representative in India. Whetner or not he is connected in any way with the leakage of views,, he has stated that he would make it impossible for us to do other than to 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 has seen tins telegram.” , , Senator Chandler said: ‘My only purpose in bringing up this question was to point out that I had obtained information, w'hich I believe to oe correct, regarding Mr. Phillips’ status. I desire an inquiry. Lord Halifax and the State Department’s denials are only a diplomatic way of making, it appear as though.they have denied the charge, while, in reality, they are saying something else.” The State Department has repeated its denial. A British Embassy spokesman said. “Even if the text of Sir Olaf. Caroes cable is found to be correct, it would merely be considered a private report from one official in India to another in London.” The spokesman expressed surprise that an American Senator could obtain a copy of the coded message between two British officials. LORD HALIFAX’S DENIAL NEW YORK, Sept. 2. The New York “Herald-Tribune s Washington correspondent says: Lord Halifax, British Ambassador, severely took to task those who were, he said, “in responsible quarters” making statements about the resignation ot Mr. Phillips, without first taking steps to verify the facts. In language unusually Strong for any mat, and particularly for Lord Halifax, who is not easily aroused, Lord Halifax denied the reports that Mr. Phillips 'was returning because no had been declared persona non grata in London. Lord Halifax said that it was regrettable that assertions should be made which were quite untiue, and which must gravely mislead tne public He added that he hoped that they would not be repeated Lord Halifax said it was not true that His Maiestv’s Government ever challenged the right of any United States Government to report freely to the President or the Government.