STATEMENT BY CHURCHILL

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23744, 16 September 1942, Page 5

STATEMENT BY CHURCHILL

CRITICISM IN INDIA "TENDING TO CONFIRM DISTRUST" (Rcc. 7 p.m.) NEW DELHI, Sept. 14. The committee of the Non-political Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry has described Mr Churchill's recent statement on India as "biased, disingenuous, and provocative, tending to confirm the deep-rooted distrust of British promises and intentions regarding India's freedom." The committee's statement contends that Mr Churchill strengthened the conviction 'that Britain does not want to give up imperialist domination over the country. It condemns "colossal ignorance regarding the Congress Party's supposed hold over India." The statement also condemns "the reign of ruthless repression and the recent tendency towards violence and sabotage, which will only recoil against the country itself by initiating a vicious circle of repression and violence." The committee calls on the Indian members of the Viceroy's Executive Council to persist in the demand for a representative National Government, and .also lc • the transfer of real power from the British to Indians. Eight young women and three men were arrested for picketing the entrance to the Indian Legislative Assembly, which was meeting to-day. The women seated themselves on the steps, preventing the entry of students, and stood round the building, shouting: "Down with Churchill," "Down with the Assembly," and "Long live Independence." The police later released the women. Sir Edward Benthall, member for the Indian War Transport Board, told the Assembly that the civil disobedience movement, according to a preliminary compilation, had damaged 250 railway stations. Tampering with railway tracks had resulted in at least 24 derailments. Many empty passenger cars had been burnt, and goods waggons looted and damaged. The greater part of the sabotage had occurred in northern Bihar and the eastern part of the United Provinces. The tracks had been restored in most areas. War transport had experienced a temporary set-back, but this had been rapidly overcome. Sir Guranath Bewoor, Secretary of the Department of Posts and Telegraphs, said the rioters had completely burned down 53 post offices, seriouslv damaged 200, and attacked 300 others. They had tampered with telegraph lines at many places. Mobs had attacked repair parties and looted £7500 in cash and stamps. Wendell Willkie in Teheran.— Mr Wendell Willkie has arrived in Teheran. Before he left Bagdad he received a cablegram from the British Foreign Secretary (Mr R. A. Eden) congratulating him on the good work he was doing during his Middle East tour.—London. September 14. Unidentified Aeroplane Over U.S.— An unidentified aeroplane flew over southern Oregon on September 9, after which a small fire was observed. Bomb fragments were discovered, bearing Japanese markings.—San Francisco, September 14.