JOINT APPEAL

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 67, Issue 158, 17 April 1947, Page 3

JOINT APPEAL

GANDHI AND JINNAH VIOLENCE AND LAWLESSNESS DEPLORED (N.Z. Press Association —Copyright.) LONDON, April 16. At the request of the Viceroy (Lord Mouncbatten), Mr Gandhi and Mr M. A. Jinnah (Moslem Leader) have issued a manifesto to the Indian people deploring recent acts of violence and lawlessness that have brought the utm6st disgrace on India and the greatest misery to innocent people. The manifesto announced the use of force to attain political ends and called upon the Indians to refrain from all acts of violence. This is the first time Mr Gandhi and Mr Jinnah have issued a joint statement. Commenting on the joint Gandhis Jinnah manifesto, the Delhi correspondent of “The Times” says it is known that Lord Mouhtbatten in his protracted conversations' with these two foremost spokesman of India formed the conclusion that they, were unequivocally opposed to the fatricidal warfare that has raged’across Northern India in recent months, and he seized the opportunity to .enlist their suport in an - endeavour to stop this madness. • ' - It is certain, the correspondent adds, that their joint appeal will have a placatory effect —at least temporarily —but if it is to prove a permanent de terrent to communal frenzy it will have to be followed up with more spe cific and constructive peacemaking actions by these leaders and their lieutenants. That is the acid test of India’s capacity for statesmanship. It is officially stated that in Calcutta police fired one round yesterday when communal rioters attacked a slum area with guns and bombs. Three persons were killed and 13 in jured in riots yesterday. The police in 24 hours arrested 15 persons. According to a Peshawar message, it is officially stated that many fires are raging at Dera Ismail Khan, where the communal situation is serious. The authorities have sent police and military reinforcements and imposed a curfew.