50,000 A MONTH

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 192, 13 May 1942, Page 5

50,000 A MONTH

Indian Army Expansion 52 PER CENT. HINDUS (Received May 12, 8 p.m.) WASHINGTON, May 12. Mr. Graham Spry, personal assistant to Sir Stafford Cripps in the India negotiation?, epoke today of AngloAmerican plans for moving large numbers into India. A defence force of more than 1,000,060 would be on the job in the event of a Japanese attack. Mr. Spry said the Indian non-violent resistance Corresponded to a sit-down strike. The effect of these tactics was limited. The British Army in India was increasing at the rate of 500,000 monthly, but reinforcement was limited by available arms. Fifty-two per cent, of the soldiers were Hindus. Ready to Strike. India’s plans to resist a Japanese invasion have reached a new stage of preparedness, states a May 11 message from London. It was officially announced in New Delhi that the country’s three static military commands, which hitherto had been on a purely administrative basis, had been converted into a lighting headquarters, ready to strike at the enemy wherever he showed himself.

A military spokesman said that the changes had been carried out with the closest co-operation of the air and naval services. American and British planes were arriving in India in large numbers.

It is> emphasized in London that Vichy lias no control over the French colonial establishments in India. These establishments gave their adherence to the Free French movement in the autumn of 19-10 and their Governor has collaborated very usefully with the Government of India.

A New Delhi communique released by British Ollieial Wireless states that Blenheim bombers again raided Magwe, on the Irrawaddy, on Sunday. Bomb? were seen to fall on the runways of an aerodrome.

On their return, the Blenheims were intercepted by enemy planes, one of which was damaged. All the Blenheims returned safely.

Reconnaissance of the enemy’s forward positions was also carried out. An agency message says that there was an air raid on a small town in eastern Assam on Sunday.' Casualties were moderate, and material damage was slight.