FOR INDIA'S GOOD

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 149, 26 June 1945, Page 5

FOR INDIA'S GOOD

SIMLA CONFERENCE

VICEROY APPEALS FOR CO-OPERATION (By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright.) Ree. 11.10 a.m. LONDON, June 25. The first session of the conference between the Viceroy of India, Lord Wavcll, and the Indian leaders which opened at Simla today lasted four hours. In his opening speech, Lord Wavell, who presided, said: "I have called you together at this critical moment to advise and help me in advancing India towards prosperity, political freedom, arid greatness. I ask you to give, me that help in a spirit of broad cooperation towards the good of India as v whole. It is not a constitutional settlement, and it is not a final solution of India's complex problems that is proposed. Nor does the plan an'any way pre-judge or prejudice the final issue, but if it succeeds I am sure it will pave the way towards settlement We have got to rise above the level of old prejudices, enmities, and party and sectional advantage, and think ot India, the good of 400,000,000 people, and how we can best combine to implement these new proposals. You must accept my leadership for the present. Until there is some agreed change in the Constitution, I am responsible to.the Home Government for the good government and tranquillity of India. I ask you to believe mmc as a sincere friend of India. . "On the column which stands in the front of the Viceroy's house, crowned by the Star of India, are engraved these words: 'In thought and faith, m word and wisdom, in deed and courage, in life and service, so may India be great.' They will make a good guide for our conference." MR. GANDHI'S ATTITUDE. All the Indian leaders invited to the conference, except Mr. Gandhi, who is acting as adviser, were present at the opening, says Reuters correspondent. Twenty-one leaders gathered on the lawn at the viceregal house and were presented to Lord and Lady Wavell before entering the lodge to begin the talks. Lord Wavell asked correspondents to exercise restraint and responsibility in reporting the conference. "We have a lot of difficult questions to discuss, and the more restraint the Press exerjcises the better chance of success the i conference has," he said. He added ! that communiques would be issued at the end of each day's talks. The president of the All-India Hindu Mahasabha, Dr. Mookerjee, in a speech at the large.meeting in Poona, called on all Hindus to be ready to resist with all possible means any attempt to enforce the Wavell plan. Thousands of Hindu youths had given their lives in the war for the freedom of other countries, and they could as well do the same for their own country. i One of the main sources of conflict !at the Simla conference may yet prove to be Mr. Gandhi's decision not to participate officially, says the British United Press correspondent at Simla. The rank and file of the Congress Party believe Mr. Gandhi has refused to participate because he could not get sufficient satisfaction from Lord Wavell when he interviewed him, and consequently believes that the talks will fail. Mr. Gandhi's decision has caused considerable pessimism over the outcome of the conference. A friend of Mr. Jinnah, president of the Moslem League, said: "Mr. Jinnah is distressed and hurt at Mr. Gandhi's attitude. Mr. Jinnah would not, under any circumstances, talk with Dr. Azad, the Congress President." With the chances of Moslem-Hindu settlement thus minimised, the Moslems accuse Gandhi of torpedoing the conference. / SUGGESTION TO GANDHI ATTENDANCE AS VISITOR LONDON, June 25. New Delhi radio says the president of the, Congress Party and the Presi- | dent of the Moslem League have been having informal discussions this evening with representatives of their parties. After the Congress Party meeting, the former Premier of Madras called on Mr. Gandhi. It is understood that he suggested that Mr. Gandhi should attend the conference as a visitor, without taking part in the proceedings. The conference is meeting again tomorrow, and it is believed it may adjourn towards the middle of the week to enable the Congress Party and the Moslem League to consult their working committees.