690.941/8–3151: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in India 1
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498. For Henderson. Press reports Nehru told Parliament Asian countries may hold a Jap conference of their own after US sponsored conference in San Francisco ends.2
If foregoing reports confirmed, you are directed seek earliest possible personal interview with Nehru and inform him orally US Govt views in a very different light India’s passive decision, on one hand, to refrain from signing Jap Peace Treaty San Francisco, and on other hand, positive action on India’s part to organize separate Jap conf of Asian states, thereby actively exercising its influence dissuade such other Asian states from adhering.
As PriMin and Amb Pandit are aware, San Francisco draft treaty in its present form is result many months earnest labor designed not only effect an unprecedentedly generous and non-punitive settlement of an enormously bitter costly war in which we emerged unconditional victors, but also to reconcile strongly-held and widely divergent views of the several participants, many of whom desired either firm guarantees [Page 1313] against a resurgence of Jap militarism or reparations beyond Japan’s capabilities.
Nevertheless, GOI has exercized its inalienable right abstain and we respect that decision though we deeply regret it. India cannot fail share in benefits of a peace with Japan, whether or not India signs San Francisco treaty, both in security arrangements if made which wld deter aggression against an otherwise unarmed Japan, and in guarantees against possible eventual resurgence Jap aggressive militarism.
Org of rival conf of Asian states, however, which wld encourage such states to refrain from united participation in re-estab of Jap sovereignty and creation of stable conditions for peace in Far East constitutes obstruction which in US Govt view wld scarcely be consistent with friendly relations which have characterized Indo–US relations. US Govt wld be failing in candor if it did not speak thus forthrightly and is confident PriMin will reconsider before proceeding with any actions which might have such result.
Quite aside from all other considerations US Govt also feels impelled in strictest confidence draw PriMin’s attn to a danger inherent in PriMin’s reported project for rival Asian Conference, which can hardly fail open way to participation Chi Commies, USSR and possibly other satellites. We doubt that views of GOI and those of CPR towards settlement of Jap question are sufficiently close to permit of signature of a mutually satis doc which wld also be acceptable to sovereign state of Japan. Such eventuality wld strongly convey impression GOI definitely aligning with Soviet bloc.
US Govt confident PriMin will appreciate spirit in which such advice is given.
Henderson may in his discretion inform UKHC. London inform FonOff.
- Telegram drafted by William Witman, Officer in Chargé for India, Nepal, and Ceylon Affairs in the Office of South Asian Affairs. Repeated to Djakarta, Karachi, Rangoon, London, and Moscow.↩
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In telegram 823 from New Delhi, September 2, Mr. Henderson stated in part his belief that press reports received by the Department were in error regarding the Prime Minister’s statement.
“Based on full local press coverage Nehru … made remarks along following lines: Re possible conference, GOI in constant touch with Burma and Indonesia re views those countries on draft treaty and was at one time suggested conference these three countries shld be held but general view was that question could be considered only after San Francisco conference had taken place.
“Re GOI views re its treaty with Japan, kind of bilateral treaty GOI contemplates was very simple treaty putting end to state of war and also making provisions for trade and commerce; treaty wld not deal with political or other controversial matters.” (690.941/9–251)
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