Notice of Bose's Arrival in Berlin, 3 April 1941

No. 257 195/139127-29
Memorandum by the Director of the Political Department

U.St.S. Pol. No.259                                                                                            

BERLIN, April 3, 1941.

The well-known Indian nationalist, Subhas Bose, arrived in Berlin yesterday and called on me today. [See document No.36.]

We discussed in a noncommittal way the organization of the program for the immediate future. M. Base wants to remain in Berlin for a while at first, then go to Rome and later return to Germany.

Bose's arrival in Germany could be announced by the German press and radio at the beginning of next week with appropriate ceremony; a proposal for this will follow via the Press Department. [Not found.] Then the next day M. Bose would make his first radio speech in Hindustani, the text of which would have to be submitted and approved in advance. This would then be followed by additional radio speeches, including some in the English language.

M. Bose then briefly described his political program; its main point is that he wants to set up an Indian government in Germany, visualizing as a model the Polish, etc., governments in exile. To form his government, he expects certain promises from the Axis Powers, which he wants to formulate in detail. Besides propaganda actions the program furthermore includes the instigation of uprisings in India. As a final objective he has in mind the entry by the Axis Powers into India, in regard to which he cited the following figures: The Anglo-Indian Army consisted of only 300,000 men, of which at most 70,000 were Englishmen. The major portion of the Indian elements was willing to defect at any time. An army of 100,000 men with modern equipment would be adequate to free India from English rule. I maintained a purely noncommittal attitude on this point. It would perhaps be useful if M. Bose is received by the Foreign Minister only after he has worked out his program, which he intends to do in the next few days. He will then submit it in written form. [See document No.300.]

I introduced M. Bose to Minister Cosmelli, as this developed informally owing to the order of the visitors. M. Bose intends to call also on the State Secretary and Ambassador Alfieri in the newt few days.

Secretary of Legation Schlobies has been assigned to look after M. Bose.

The smaller amounts of money required for the time being have already been made available by the Personnel Department. A proposal will be submitted concerning the later arrangement of the financial side of the question. [Not found.]

M. Bose's presence in Afghanistan did not become known to the Afghan Government, and is to continue a secret. From this it follows that the route of travel through the Soviet Union cannot be made public either. [See document No.36.]

A memorandum regarding Bose's person is again enclosed. [Unsigned memorandum of Feb 2 (195/139130-31).]

Herewith submitted to the Foreign Minister through the State Secretary with the request that such a procedure be approved.

WOERMANN

From: US Department of State. Documents on German Foreign Policy, 1918-1945. Series D (1937-1945). Vol. XII. The War Years February 1-June 22, 1941. Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, 1962, 442-443.