INDIAN DISPUTES SETTLED

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22338, 28 February 1938, Page 11

INDIAN DISPUTES SETTLED

MINISTERS WITHDRAW RESIGNATIONS AGREEMENT ON RELEASE OF PRISONERS (BBITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS.) (Received February 27, 8.55 p.m.) RUGBY, February 26. Reports from India indicate that an agreement on the release of "political" prisoners similar to that reached in United Provinces, where members of the Congress Party Ministry have withdrawn their resignations, is certain in Bihar. Though the principle that there should be no indiscriminate release has been secured, the Governor has expressed himself as willing to follow the advice of his Ministers in remitting the unexpired portion of the sentences in the cases already examined, and the Ministers themselves will examine the remaining cases individually. . In a joint communique issued in Lucknow by the Governor and the Prime Minister if is stated that there is no reason to fear any usurpation or interference with the legitimate functions of responsible ministers. "We are both desirous of maintaining healthy conventions, and witn goodwill on both sides we hope to succeed," the communique states. "The Times" says: "Even more important than the actual terms of the compromise, the Ministers withdrawal of their resignations is abundant evidence of the emergence ot a new and welcome political sense throughout India. Nothing has been said or done by responsible elements in the Congress Party to aggravate the crisis. "The Nationalist press has shown admirable restraint in its comments, and the opponents of the National Congress have made no attempt to make capital out of the dispute. So far from shirking their responsibility, the leaders of that party, and particularly Mr Gandhi, have shown their genuine desire that Congresr Ministers should remain in office. They are strongly opposed to several ventures in the new Constitution, but they have made no attempt to convert the recent dispute into a campaign against the reforms as a whole. In short, they have shown that they have abandoned their former negative attitude for a co-oper-ative, constructive, and constitutional policy which will be of immense benefit to India as a whole. Both the Government of India and the leading Indian Nationalist Party have emerged with great credit."

UNITED PROVINCES SETTLEMENT

EARLY ORDERS FOR RELEASE

LUCKNOW, February 25

The members of the United Provinces Ministry have withdrawn their resignations. A joint statement issued by the Governor and the Congress Party leader announces that the cases of some political prisoners have been examined and others are being examined. Orders for the release of prisoners are shortly to be issued.