GREAT FRENCH TRIAL

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23095, 10 August 1940, Page 13

GREAT FRENCH TRIAL

Blame to be Placed For Defeat FORMER FRIENDS NOW FOES (UKTIXD PRESS ASSOCIATIOiI—COPVRIGKT.; (Received August 9, 9.30 p.m.) CLERMONT-FERRAND, Aug. 9. In what is described as the greatest trial in French history, nine judges, including M. Caoux and M. Laval, installed at Riom, opened the preliminary proceedings against those alleged to have been responsible for the defeat of France. Former friends and former Cabinet colleagues are facing one another as bitter foes. The preliminaries may last several weeks. Among those to be charged are the former Premier (M. Reynaud) and his immediate predecessor, M. Daladier, the former Minister for the Interior (M. Georges Mandel), and the former Chief of the General Staff (General Gamelin), who was removed from his command by M. Reynaud after the German break-through at Sedan. CONSTITUTION OF INDIA “DOMINION STATUS IS BRITAIN’S AIM” MR AMERY’S STATEMENT IN COMMONS (mimsH omcJAL wireless.) RUGBY, August 8. “Dominion status for India remains Britain’s aim. The differences between the Indian communities, which have prevented the achievement of national unity, can no longer postpone the proposed expansion of the Viceroy’s Council nor the establishment of a body associating Indian public opinion more closely with the central Government,” declared the Secretary of State for India (Mr L. S. Amery) in the House of Commons to-day. “The Viceroy (Lord Linlithgow) is inviting a number of representative Indians to join his council. He is also establishing a War Advisory Council representing states and other interests of India as a whole. Full weight will be given to minority views, In any revision Britain could not contemplate the transfer of her present responsibilities for the peace and welfare of India to any system of Government whose authority large and powerful elements directly deny, nor could she be a party to the coercion of such elements into submission to such a Government. “Britain sympathises with the contention that the framing of any new scheme should primarily be the responsibility of the Indians themselves, and should originate from Indian conceptions of the social, economic, and political structure to which Britain wishes to see the fullest possible expression given, subject to Britain’s obligations to India, of which the fundamental constitutional issues could decisively be resolved, but the Government would very readily assent to the creation, with the least possible delay after the war, of a body representing the principal elements of India’s national life with the object of devising a new constitution. The Government will lend every aid tq hasten decisions.” The statement is welcomed by nonCongfess leaders in India. Many Nationalist newspapers state that it does not go far enough. A message from Simla says the Viceroy (Lord Linlithgow) made a statement in identical terms. The Indian-owned press describes the announcement as the iotal negation of the Congress demands. .Anglo-In-dian newspapers and also the minorities, notably the “depressed classes,” urge the acceptance of the proposals. INCREASED PAY FOR SERVICES I (BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS.) RUGBY, August 8. The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Sir Kingsley Wood) has announced an increase of sixpence a day in the pay of all warrant, non-commissioned, and other ranks in the Navy, Army, and Air Force. It was hoped that the inincrease would be brought into operation at the end of . the month. In making this statement the Chancellor said that ■ frequent representations had been made to him regarding the effect on members of the forces of increased taxation on such things as tobacco and beer, as well as the general increase in' the cost of living. He felt that the fairest method of dealing with the question was by an increase in pay at a flat rate, thus enabling the individual to decide for himself as to what purpose it would be devoted. The additional grant would cost about £9,000,000 a year, added the Chancellor. Tributes to Zionist Leader. — The Lord Privy Seal (Mr C. R. Attlee), Mr Lloyd George, the Secretary for India (Mr L. S. Amery), Lord Snell, Mr P. Noel Baker, Mr Tom Williams, and about 40 other members of Parliament of all parties have paid a tribute to Mr V. Jabotinsky, president of the World New Zionist Organisation, who died suddenly in America a few days ago.—Rugby ; August 8. H.M.S. Ajax Recommissioned.— The cruiser Ajax, which took paid; in the Battle of the Plate against the German pocket battleship Admiral Graf Spec, has been recommissioned. The complement includes about half the members of the crew who participated in the Plate battle. The others have been distributed to other ships.— London, August 9.