WHAT OF THE FUTURE?

Evening Star, Issue 20635, 7 November 1930, Page 8

WHAT OF THE FUTURE ?

FAR-REACHING CONCESSIONS SUGGESTED

LONDON, November 6,

(Received November 7, at 10 a.m.)

Although it is suggested that the dominion delegates may depart almost empty-handed from the Imperial Conference, the Indian round table delegates have only. to ask and receive. Such, at least, is the impression gained from the preparatory moves at the conference, the delegates to which are informally conferring at St. James’s Palace. It is pointed oat that Lord Irwin’s speeches referring to , dominion status commit Great Britain to conceding whatever the conference unanimously demands. It has been clear for some time that the Government has decided to use the Simon report merely as a work of reference. It is understood that the Government of'lndia’s recommehdations regarding the constitution which will be published probably next, week, go further than the Simon commission in the matter' of the Central Government. Some of the delegates join in affirming that they expect immediate dominion status, with safeguards regarding de-. fence (including the maintenance ol theßritish Amy) foreign relations, finance, and the preservation of the interests of the minorities.

Lord Burnham, in a foreword to an abridged* edition of the Simon calls attention to the danger of a surrender of policy. He declares that India at present is in a state of crisis and incipient anarchy, and it will be the scene of a titanic struggle concerning the relationship of the Asiatic and Western peoples. He adds that the commission’s main purpose has been to prevent the dissolution of the British Empire in India.