STATEMENT BY INDIA OFFICE

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23716, 14 August 1942, Page 5

STATEMENT BY INDIA OFFICE

“ DISORDERS SPORADIC AND LIMITED”

CALCUTTA INDUSTRIAL AREA QUIET

LONDON, August 12. The India Office in London has issued a statement on the latest official reports from India. These show that the disturbances which have occurred so far have been of a sporadic and limited character, and have had virtually no effect on the country’s industrial war effort.

The statement says that the countryside is unaffected, and that in Calcutta and the surrounding district, which are responsible for by far the greatest part of India’s war production, there have been no repercussions from the arrests of the Congress Party leaders. Authoritative information received in London to-night indicates that, though reports from the provinces are not complete, the initial measures taken have not had serious results. Only in Delhi, Bombay, and the United Provinces have any serious clashes with the authorities been reported. Even there the trouble has been localised in a few centres like Bombay. Ahmadabad, Poona, Delhi, Lucknow, and Cawnpore. There was no trouble in many centres where disturbances were expected. Even such centres of potential disorder as BardolL and Sholapur are reported to be quiet. It will be some time before the situation can be judged definitely, but official information from Delhi to-night is that wherever disturbances have occurred, the situation is well in hand.

AMERICAN TROOPS IN INDIA

INSTRUCTION FROM WASHINGTON

(Received August 14, 2 a.m.) WASHINGTON, August 12. The United States State Department reveals that it has warned American troops in India that they were sent there solely to * prosecute the war against the Axis and primarily to aid China, and that, they should scrupulously avoid participation in India’s internal struggle. In the event of disturbances where the Americans are stationed, they are authorised to resort to defensive measures only if their own safety or that of other American citizens is endangered.

LABOUR STATEMENT ON INDIA

(8.0. W.) RUGBY, August 12. A statement on India, issued by the British Labour Party and the Trades Union Congress, said that the Labour movement believed that the setting-up of an independent Indian government in the post-war world was secure. The statement recalls that the Labour movement has consistently reaffirmed the right of the Indian people to decide their own destiny, but it adds that clearly Indian freedom and the freedom of the world would be endangered. and perhaps destroyed, unless the United Nations are victorious. The statement urges the Indian people to see things from that angle.

Policing Australian Wharves.—The formation of special squads of civil police at all Australian ports to check looting and pillaging of cargoes on the wharves has been apnroved by the Australian Cabinet. The squads will be formed of specially selected officers of the State police forces. The Cabinet’s action followed consideration of a report which disclosed an alarming state of affairs.—Melbourne, August 13.