The Reminiscences of Zafrulla Khan — Page 43
43 REMINISCENCES OF SIR MUHAMMAD ZAFRULLA KHAN and that they created a very difficult situation for me. If the original proposals of the Government of India were not approved by His Majesty's Government, I would have to go. I also sent an immediate verbal message to Sir Fazle Hussain at Abbottabad explaining the situation to him and adding that I would fight as hard as I knew how but that if I did not succeed, I would resign. The Viceroy was very sympathetic and kind. Lord Willingdon was a very understanding man and it was India's great good fortune that at that juncture in its history, he was the man at the top. He told me he would speak to the Home Member - Sir Harry Haig - and to Sir Philip Chetwood, the Commander-in-Chief and he was sure they would take the view that we cannot afford any disturbance of what was discussed at great length in Council. "Ours was a compromise proposal, the only one that would work, and except for a minor change here or there, which could be justified on the merits, we would refuse to accept any modification. I shall stand by the old proposals. That would make three of us, and, of course, if you are of that opinion, that will make four. That would mean an even division, even if all the others should be unwilling to support the old proposals and should push for major changes, which I doubt, I would then use my casting vote and we would go back to the Secretary of State and I am sure he would give way. I should not take too dim a view of the situation if I were you. " That was comforting, and a meeting was called for that very evening. The Viceroy managed that meeting with consummate skill. It was his habit not to start on the agenda immediately on meeting. As he walked into the Cabinet room he would welcome each of us and put us at our ease. If any of us had been away he would chat with him for a minute and ask some personal question, or address an observation to one or the other round the table. He was on a first-name basis with everybody which is more an American rather than a British habit, especially in high office. He addressed everybody either by their personal name or as "My dear," so that one felt completely at home with him. Well, when we had all arrived and the first greetings were over, he turned to his private secretary, Sir Eric Mieville, who subsequently became assistant private secretary to the King at Buckingham Palace, and enquired what the business for the day was. Mieville explained that the business was the Secretary of State's telegram on the communal