CHINA AND INDIA

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23715, 13 August 1942, Page 5

CHINA AND INDIA

COMMENT MADE IN CHUNGKING

REPORTED SYMPATHY WITH CONGRESS (Received August 12, 7 p.m.)

(N.Z.P.A.) CHUNGKING. August 11. A Chinese Government spokesman, asked whether China was willing to mediate in the Indian dispute, replied:' “If there is anything China can do we shall be very glad to do it.” He declined to reveal whether the British had approached Marshal Chiang Kai-shek for mediation, but said he had accepted an invitation to visit the Viceroy of India (Lord Linlithgow) shortly. Asked whether he regarded Mr Gandhi’s release as a prerequisite for a British-Indian settlement, the spokesman said: “The Chinese Government has no idea of the procedure for reaching a settlement.” He added that any suggestions npw might not be helpful. The spokesman asserted that although legally the Indian problem was a domestic British problem, it was the moral concern of all the United Nations and bore directly upon the future prospects of a better world order. He said it might prove helpful to have a Pacific Charter, in which specific assurances would be given. He commented: “Nationalism cannot be suppressed by weapons alone." Asked whether comments in the Chinese press which fully supported India’s independence demand, were hurting Chinese-British relations, the spokesman said: “I hope that ChineseBritish relations cannot be affected in the least by any episode.” Attack on India Expected He gave a warning that the continuation of the disturbances in India would interfere with China’s war supplies. He said that Chinese intelligence indicated that Japan was preparing to attack India in the autumn. It was reported that Japanese transports had delivered fresh divisions on July 27 and 28 at Haiphong and Saigon, in Indo-China. where they had entrained for Thailand and Burma, and where they could attack eastern India. Also, the Japanese had concentrated a large group of warships in northern Formosa. probably for an attack on Fukien.

Concerning the Solomons offensive, the spokesman said the Allied attack was a very significant and very timely offensive. It was one of the most heartening pieces of news yet received.

The Chungking correspondent of the Associated Press of America reports that Dr. Sun Fo, President of the Chinese Legislative Yuan, said that Chinese sympathy was entirely with the Indians. It is understood that the Chinese press to-morrow will proclaim its support for the Indian Congress Party leaders, and urge the British to strive for a peaceful settlement. The correspondent said that it was Impossible to predict the effect of China’s attitude on British-Chinese relations, but Chinese official reaction was clearly crystallising in favour of India. The Indian problem was crucial for China because of her supply routes via India.

OBSERVANCE OF NON-VIOLENCE

APPEALS BY CONGRESS SPEAKERS (Received August 13, 1 a.m.) LONDON, August 11. Congress Party speakers at a big meeting in New Delhi appealed for strict observance of non-violence. The “Hindustan Times,” which is edited by Mr Gandhi’s son, condemns violence. It says: “Congress will not escape disgrace if violence continues.”

PUNJAB PREMIER’S STATEMENT

“ UNPATRIOTIC ATTITUDE OF CONGRESS” LONDON. August 11.

Sir Sikandar Hyat-Khan, Premier of the Punjab, who is visiting Indian troops in the Western Desert, said: “The Congress Party’s unpatriotic attitude is a cowardly betrayal of the Motherland and of the hundreds of thousands of our gallant countrymen who are shedding their blood thousands of miles from home to save India from subjugation to Fascism. I am confident that all patriotic Indians will see to it that the men fighting our battles are not betrayed.”