891.00 TA/2–2152: Telegram
The Ambassador in India (Bowles) to the Department of State
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3002. Deptel 1631, February 13,1 most disturbing to us here. If this proves to be final word on Indian aid for 1953, I believe we will have committed a blunder of extremely serious proportions. If India goes under during next few years, the negative arguments expressed reference telegram will sound flimsy indeed.
In my opinion our responsibility is to propose what is right and necessary and not simply what we think Congress will accept. Situation here is much too dangerous for compromise in this way. In view of Communist victory in China, Congress will hesitate long time before they turn down program we have proposed.
At President’s suggestion, have cabled him expressing my concern.2
- See footnotes 2 and 4, supra. Apparently Ambassador Bowles did not receive this telegram until 2 days after the Department had transmitted it to New Delhi.↩
- The reference is to New Delhi telegram 3003, Feb. 21, 1952, infra.↩