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Telegram from WSC to the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt] regarding the project to send supplies from the United States to French North Africa: comments on the value of contacts between the United States and Vichy France but asks that nothing should interfere with operation "IRONCLAD" [operation against Diego Suarez, Madagascar]; comments on the operation and proposes dropping leaflets suggesting the attack was Anglo-American.

Scope and Contents Telegram from WSC to General Sir Archibald Wavell, Commander-in-Chief, India, regarding aircraft provision for India: refers to a telegram he has sent to the Lord Privy Seal [Sir Stafford Cripps, on fighter cover for India, see CHAR 20/72/107-108]; states that the Chief of the Air Staff [Air Chief Marshal Sir Charles Portal] has telegraphed Air Vice-Marshal Douglas Evill [Head of RAF Delegation to Washington, United States] for American reactions; comments on present fighter aircraft...

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Telegram from Sir Stafford Cripps [Lord Privy Seal] (India) regarding the mass of information circulating in India about the fall of Singapore and suggesting that the Viceroy [and Governor-General of India, 2nd Lord Linlithgow, earlier Lord Hopetoun] carry out a private enquiry.

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Telegram from the Lord Privy Seal [Sir Stafford Cripps] (India) to WSC regarding the critical issue of responsibility for the defence of India: comments that whilst Britain cannot give up any of the responsibility for defence there is a need to raise the keenness of Indians to defend their country, and encloses the text of a paragraph for approval before publication.

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Telegram from WSC to the Lord Privy Seal [Sir Stafford Cripps] (India) authorising proposed amendment to the clause [on responsibility for the defence of India, see CHAR 20/72/122] and suggesting minor changes to the wording; states that he is glad that Cripps has made it clear that his mission does not extend to Ceylon [later Sri Lanka]. Annotated that [? Gerard Clauson], India Office, is circulating to those it may concern, including the [? Minister of Information, Brendan Bracken].

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Telegram from the Lord Privy Seal [Sir Stafford Cripps] (India) to WSC reciting the full text of the amended paragraph regarding responsibility for the defence of India [see CHAR 20/72/122-4].

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Telegram from WSC to General Sir Archibald Wavell, Commander-in-Chief, India, asking for clarification of the orders given by Wavell to Lieutenant-General Arthur Percival [General Officer Commanding, Malaya, later Malaysia] before the fall of Singapore.

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Telegram from General Sir Archibald Wavell, Commander- in-Chief, India, to WSC informing him of the report of the success of a meeting between General Harold Alexander [General Officer Commanding, Burma] and Generalissimo [Chiang-Kai-shek, Chinese Nationalist leader]; states that he is flying to Maymyo [Burma, later Myanmar] tomorrow.

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Telegram from WSC to John Curtin [Prime Minister of Australia] informing him of the movement of a British armoured division around the Cape [South Africa] in late April or early May, and pledging to divert this force should Australia be invaded. [See also CHAR 20/73/12 for correction].

Scope and Contents Telegram from WSC to Herbert Evatt [Australian Minister for External Affairs and Attorney General] (Washington [United States]): informs him of plans to divert British forces should Australia be invaded; comments on the importance of not committing troops to Australia until it is clearly identified as the chosen enemy target; comments on the build up of naval force in the Indian Ocean; states that it would be a mistake for the Commonwealth Government to recall the 9th Australian Division and...

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Telegram from Lord Halifax [British Ambassador to the United States, earlier Edward Wood and Lord Irwin] to WSC commenting on the establishment of the Pacific War Council in Washington [United States]: comments on likely differences between the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt] and Australia and New Zealand over the role of the council; proposes to suggest inclusion of an Indian representative on the Council.

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Telegram from Lord Halifax [British Ambassador to the United States, earlier Edward Wood and Lord Irwin] to WSC regarding the announcement by Stephen Early, Press Secretary to the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt] of the creation of a Pacific War Council in Washington; relates details of the press release including the composition of the council.

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Telegram from Lord Halifax [British Ambassador to the United States, earlier Edward Wood and Lord Irwin] to WSC stating that the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt] is not inviting India to be represented on the Pacific War Council but is seeing officials of Indian Government separately. Repeated to the Viceroy [and Governor-General] of India [2nd Lord Linlithgow, earlier Lord Hopetoun].

Scope and Contents Telegram from Sir Stafford Cripps [Lord Privy Seal] (India) to WSC regarding the latest situation in India: states that Congress seems certain to refuse proposals and that the Moslem League and other sections of opinion will do likewise; comments on "almost unanimous" protest against the complete retention of control over defence by the British Government; comments on low morale and the growth of anti-British feeling and unrest; comments on the importance of getting Indian leaders involved...

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Telegram from Sir Stafford Cripps [Lord Privy Seal] (India) to WSC reciting the text of a letter sent by Cripps to Congress leaders suggesting a meeting between themselves, Jawaharlal Nehru and the Commander-in- Chief [General Sir Archibald Wavell] to discuss the question of responsibility for the defence of India.

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Telegram from General Sir Archibald Wavell [Commander-in- Chief, India] (Burma) to WSC regarding the latest situation in Burma [later Myanmar]: reports on the itinerary of the visit; states that the situation at both Toungoo [Burma] and Prome [Burma] appears unfavourable; comments on the inability of the Governor of Burma [Sir Reginald Dorman-Smith] to remove ineffective civil servants due to the Government of Burma Act.

Scope and Contents Telegram from WSC to the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt]: states that the position at home "has always been quite solid" but that disasters made people restive in Parliament and the press; comments on the new position of "Dickie" [Lord Louis Mountbatten] as Chief of Combined Operations; predicts that Japan will press northwards through Burma [later Myanmar] and comments on British reinforcements to the Far East which could be diverted to Australia in the event of an...

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Telegram from Sir Stafford Cripps [Lord Privy Seal] (India) to WSC summarizing the resolution of the Congress Working Committee rejecting Government proposals for the future of India and quoting verbatim the paragraph regarding defence.

Scope and Contents Telegram from WSC to Sir Stafford Cripps [Lord Privy Seal] (India) stating the Government position with regard to negotiations with Congress Party leaders: approves of further talks on the defence question but must see proposals before acceptance; states that the Cabinet is disinclined to depart from the published text of the declaration which represents their final position; states that there is no objection in principle to the appointment of a new Indian member on the Council to co-operate...

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Telegram from General Sir Archibald Wavell, Commander- in-Chief, India, to WSC enclosing texts of messages exchanged between Wavell and Lieutenant-General Arthur Percival [General Officer Commanding, Malaya, later Malaysia] on 13 February 1942 regarding the situation in Singapore Town [see also CHAR 20/73/47].

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Telegram from Field Marshal Jan Smuts [Prime Minister of South Africa] to WSC regarding India: states that India is now the key to the whole defence of the Empire and advises against putting that key in unskilled Indian hands.

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Second and last part of telegram from General Sir Archibald Wavell, Commander-in-Chief, India, to WSC enclosing texts of messages exchanged between Wavell and Lieutenant-General Arthur Percival [General Officer Commanding, Malaya, later Malaysia] between 14 and 15 February 1942 regarding the situation in Singapore Town.

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Telegram from Sir Stafford Cripps [Lord Privy Seal] (India) to WSC regarding the latest situation in India: summarizes Indian reaction to the British Government's scheme and the implications of acceptance or rejection by Congress; proposes three possible courses of action with regard to the question of responsibility for defence.

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Telegram from WSC to Sir Stafford Cripps [Lord Privy Seal] (India): informs him that the India Committee and War Cabinet will consider his proposals on Monday evening [6 April] and asks what functions it would be proposed to hand over [? to Indian control]; comments on news from Ceylon [later Sri Lanka]; recites text of message from Isobel, Lady Cripps.

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Telegram from General Sir Archibald Wavell, Commander- in-Chief, India, to WSC commenting on the question of responsibility for the defence of India: believes it is not possible to separate his dual functions as civil and defence member without causing complete dislocation.