SITUATION IN INDIA.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19941, 30 May 1930, Page 16

SITUATION IN INDIA.

.—. —* ■ DEBATE IN HOUSE OF LORDS. (BZUTI3B OWICUt WIEBU6SB.) RUGBY, May 28. In the House of Lords, Lord Feel (Con.) called for a statement on the situation in India. The fullest support should, he said, be given to the Government of India to crush and end the disorders, which seemed;to be organised from a common centre. He suggested that instead of arresting the leaders in particular disturbances it was time to strike at the centre of the disturbances —the Congress Committee itself—and that a greater effort should be made to counter the flood of misrepresentation of British policv in the vernacular Press. Lord Reading (Con., a former Viceroy of India) said what was new and serious about the present disturbances was the evidence that an organisation for civil disturbance had been set up. Civil disobedience could not be tolerated, and the Government must put forth all the weapons at its command to break it.

Lora Russell (Under-Secretary for India), having surveyed the situation in the various centres, said there was no question of the loyalty of the Indian Armv. and he paid a tribute to the work of the Indian police, who. frequently were pelted with brickbats and insulted, and were not allowed to protect themselves except in the last resort. The Government had shown the utmost limits of patience and forbearance in quelling the disorders, and had resorted to firearms only when conditions made it absolutely necessary. He paid a tribute to the Viceroy (Lord trwin). who had shown immense patience, and had done nothing that could be regarded as provocative. The Government liad assured him hj» had its full and unstinted support.