February 25, 1942.
11.40 P.M.
AMBASSADOR WINANT
LONDON
As you may guess, I am somewhat concerned over the
situation in India, especially in view of the possibility
of the necessity of a slow retirement through Burma into
India itself. From all I can gather the British defense
will not have sufficiently enthusiastic support from the
people of India themselves.
In the greatest confidence could you or Harriman or
both let me have a slant on what the Prime Minister thinks
about new relationsllips between Britain and India? I
hesitate to send him a direct message because, in a strict
sense, it is not our business. It is, however, of great
interest to us from the point of view of the conduct of
the war.
ROOSEVELT