RESPONSE TO THE CALL

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 64, 13 September 1939, Page 10

RESPONSE TO THE CALL

THE OVERTHROW OF

NAZISM

INDIA'S FIRM STAND

(British Official Wireless.)

(Received September 13, noon.) RUGBY, September 12. The response of the peoples of the Empire to the challenge of Nazi aggression has been a source of profound encouragement to the peoples of the United Kingdom and continues to be the subject of newspaper comment. The "Daily Telegraph" says:— "It has now been made clear to Germany that the whole strength of the British Empire will be employed against her in the war on freedom which she has declared. The resources of one-fifth of the world, on Field-Marshal Goering's estimate, are now devoted irrevocably to the overthrow of Nazism. That should cause a sad searching of heart in Germany."

Referring to Canada's declaration of war on Germany, "The Times" remarks: "In Canada and everywhere throughout the Empire the challenge of Hitlerism is being met with a unanimity and a determination even more impressive than in 1914. Perhaps the most striking example comes from India."

Assurances of support are pouring in to the Viceroy from Indian Princes and Congress leaders. Mahatma Gandhi has contributed a memorable saying: "I am not thinking just now of India's deliverance. It will come, but what will it be worth if England and France fall?"

Offers of service are being received from members of all communities in so great a volume that the Government in finding difficulty in handling them. The record of the last war is assurance enough that Indian participation will be worthy of the great cause in which the Empire is now engaged.

The Aga Khan, in addition to appealing to his followers to give unstinted service to the cause for which Britain fights, has placed his own services, as he did in 1914. entirely at the disposal of the Indian Government. The Secretary of State for India expressed great appreciation of the offer.

The Maharajah of Kapurthala, the ruling Prince of one of the Punjab States, has offered the services of his second son, Major Maharaj Kumar Amarjit Singh, and of his younger son, Maharaj Kumar Ajit Singh. The Secretary for India has expressed his warm appreciation.!

The Governor of Trinidad reported that the Legislative Council of the Colony, at its first meeting since the war broke out, made a declaration to do and suffer all that was required of it. The senior unofficial member of the Council moved a resolution affirming this and renewing pledges of loyalty to King George. He spoke warmly, not only of the ties which Trinidad has with Britain, but also with France. Though the island has' never been in the possession of our ally, at the end of the eighteenth century there was a heavy influx of French families driven from San Domingo and elsewhere by the events of the French revolution.

Montserrat, a little dependency colonised by the Irish more than three centuries ago in the Leeward Islands, has added one more link to the uninterrupted chain of loyal messages from the Empire.