JOINT APPEAL TO INDIANS

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25161, 17 April 1947, Page 7

JOINT APPEAL TO INDIANS

GANDHI AND JINNAH DEPLORE VIOLENCE

TENSION EXPECTED TO RELAX

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 8.30 p.m.) LONDON, April 15. At the request of the Viceroy (Viscount Mountbatten) Mr Gandhi and Mr Jinnah have issued a manifesto to the Indian people deploring “the recent acts of violence and lawlessness that have brought the utmost disgrace on India and the greatest misery on innocent people.” The manifesto denounced the use of force to attain political ends, and called upon Indians to refrain from all acts of violence. This is the first time Mr Gandhi and Mr Jinnah have issued a joint statement. Commenting on the manifesto, the Delhi correspondent of “The Times” says: “It* is known that Viscount Mountbatten, in his protracted conversations with these two foremost spokesmen of India, formed the conclusion that they were unequivocally opposed to the fratricidal warfare that had raged across northern India in recent months, and he seized his opportunity to enlist their support in an endeavour to stop this madness. “It is certain that their joint appeal will have a placatory effect—at least temporarily—but if it is to prove a permanent deterrent to communal frenzy it will have to be followed up with more specific and constructive peace-making actions by these leaders and their lieutenants. That is the acid test of India’s capacity for statesmanship.” It is officially stated in Peshawar that many fires are raging at Dera Ismail Khan, where the communal situation is serious. The authorities have sent police and military reinforcements, and have imposed a curfew. It is officially.stated in Calcutta that police fired one round to-day when communal rioters attacked a slum area with guns and bombs. Three were killed and 13 injured in riots to-day. The police in the last 24 hours have arrested 150 persons.