STATEMENT ON INDIA

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 64, 12 September 1942, Page 8

STATEMENT ON INDIA

CRITICISM OF MR. CHURCHILL

(Rec. 1.45 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 11. Mr. Churchill's statement on India in the House of Commons coincided with an appeal to him, signed by political, leaders participating in talks now going on in New Delhi, asking for a declaration of the immediate transfer of real power to Indian hands and the postponement of all controversial issues.- _ ..

"Mr! Churchill's statement.on India was couched in language which was not calculated to improve Anglo-Indian relations," said the Leader of the Labour Party, Mr. Arthur Greenwood, in opening the debate on the statement in the House of Commons. "The Government cannot weaken in its determination to prevent the spread of the disobedience movement, but while there was a chink of light it is a very heavy responsibility for any man to slam the door."

It did not need Mr. Churchill's kindergarten lesson to explain the extent of the complication of the Indian situation, said Mr. W. H. Roberts (Liberal). It would take a lot to convince him that Gandhi was pro-Japanese. Pandit Nehru had taken a prominent part in the leadership of the Indians against earlier Japane i and German acts of aggression. It was deplorable that it should become necessary to imprison these people. Mr. James Maxton (Ind. Labour) said that neither Mr. Churchill nor Mr. Amery had the faintest desire to give India self-government. It was part of their political philosophy. Mr. C. G. Ammon (Labour) described Mr. Churchill's speech as truculent, swashbuckling, and "damn your eyes" in tone.