NEAR CIVIL WAR

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 April 1946, Page 7

NEAR CIVIL WAR

OPPOSING FACTIONS IN INDIA

EVER-WIDENING GULF LONDON, April 20

“India is on the brink of civil war,” says the New Delhi correspondent of the Observer. “Virtually all pretence that a peaceful settlement is possible between the AllIndia Congress and the Moslem League has vanished. Indian leadership has failed dismally to bridge the ever-widening gulf between the parties. The Moslem fear of Hindu domination in a ‘free’ India and the Congress hatred of Mr. Jinnah remain insurmountable barriers. The country, while the leaders quarrel, is prepared for the worst. “The thoroughly irresponsible fashion in which Congress and Moslem League leaders and press have bandied threats of civil war has not helped matters. Newspapers report that Hindus and Moslems are already secretly hoarding weapons against the coming show-down. Apprehension Shown.

“Provisional Governments have recently shown apprehension over the growing communal tension by trying to call in licensed guns and revolvers, with disappointing results. “British statesmanship alone can avert the catastrophe whose cloud already darkens the land. There is every reason to believe that Indian leaders are ardently hoping that the British mission will be able to save them from themselves.”

“The. British Cabinet mission to India, at present on holiday in Kashmir, will probably return next week to find the Congress Party and the Moslem League no nearer agreement,” says the New Delhi correspondent of The Times. “Unless responsible Indian leaders come together with the least delay, they will see conditions emerge in which the orderly transfer of power from Britain to India is impossible.” The correspondent is of the opinion that Indian leaders, though unable to agree with each other, may acquiesce in some arrangement suggested by a third party, if the. mission’s negotiations are not to fail and turmoil is to be avoided. Uncertainty Prevails. Meanwhile, uncertainty about the eventual outcome of the talks is reflected in increasing public nervousness. Mr. Gandhi to-day had to warn his countrymen against talking themselves into riots and civil war.

There are tensions in Congress itself, with the Socialist wing threatening revolution if the constitutional framework is not to its liking and the refusal of the Madras provincial committee to accejot Mr. Rajagopalachari as their leader, in defiance of the All India Congress request. In addition, there are labour unrest, communal troubles, and disaffection in the services, and the shadow of famine over all India.