INDIA’S POSITION

Grey River Argus, 23 February 1942, Page 5

INDIA’S POSITION

LEADERS’ CONCERN i Enemy at Doors ADVICE TO INDIANS. TO STOP AGITATION. [Aust. & N.Z. Cable Assn.J NEW DELHI, February 21. Sir S. Sapru, presiding at an Indian Non-Party Conference here, , demanded that “India’s centre of political activity shall shift from Whitehall to Delhi.” He said: The Mogul in Whitehall shotila perform an act of self-abdication. It will not do for anybody in England to tell us that political power is now coni centrated in the hands of men in authority in Delhi. They may exercise local administration authority but at every step we see the benumbing hand of Whitehall. This conference does not profess to advocate any scheme for a permanent Constitution for India, but it presses for changes in .the administration of the coupfry to enable India to do her best to support the war-effort. I do not believe that, from the fourhundred million Indians, no man can be found capable of administering India’s finances. Nor do I believe that, if an Indian defence member had been appointed at this juncture, he could have committed any graver mistal-es than those men who are in power have committed.” Sir S. Sapru read Mr. Churchill’s reply to the Indian Liberals’ appeal, in which it was stated that India had been invited to be represented, if it were desired, in the formulation of policy in the War Cabinet in London, and on the Pacific War Council. He said: “We shall welcome unreservedly presence at. these meetings." Sir S. Sapru added: “It almost looks ridiculous that we should be talking about permanent constitutional issues, dominion status, indepence, the partition of India or the representation of this or that community in Legislatures or Cabinets, when the enemy is knocking at our doors. The significance of Singapore, of Malaya, and of Rangoon, should not be lost on us, and the siren voices of the broadcasters from enemy countries should not delude us, however much we may blame the British for this or that. I think that the hour has struck-when we should recognise that regrets and mutual recrimination carry us nowhere, but, on the contrary, may infect us with a deplorable spirit of defeatism. My advice is that we must coalesce, and, if we cannot compose our differences forever, we at least should call a truce.

MUSLIMS FORESEE DANGER. NEW DELHI, February 22. The Working Committee of the Muslim League, under the Presidency of Mr. Jinuah, has passed a resolution calling the attention of. the Muslims to the growing danger of war in India and calling on them to be ready to face danger with equanimity, courage and fortitude. INDIANS WILLING. TO SHOULDER OWN DEFENCE BURDEN. (Rec. 9.10). NEW DELHI, Feb. 21. Mr. Nehru, Congress Leader, in a speech, declared: “If power is transferred to the Indians, they are prepared to take the responsibility for India’s defence, even now; although they might not be able to do the things that they could have done before.” Mr. Nehru said he regretted the continuance of the British Government’s old attitude towards India. He reiterated that the Indians were not looking for outside help in attaining their independence. Kai-Shek’s Appeal (Rec. 7.30). CALCUTTA. Feb. .21. Marshal Chiang Kai Shek, in a message to India, urged that Indians should exert themselves to the utmost in the cause of the freedom or mankind. He hoped and believed that Britain would, as speedily as possible, give India real political power. Indians would thus be able further to develop their spiritual and material strength, and to participate in the war with the feeling that it was a turning point in their own struggle.

JAPS CONCENTRATE IN EAST

CHINA.

(Rec. 10.20). CHUNGKING, Feb. 22. The Japanese are reported to have concentrated over thirty thousand troops with three hundred tanks and armoured cars at Yuchow, in the North Hunan Province. Ostensibly these are in preparation for their fourth assault on Changsha. U.S. 'PLANES FOR CHINA. (Rec. 6.30.) LONDON, Feb. 21. The Chungking correspondent of the Associated Press says: “Hope for the Chinese counter-offensive to gain air bases within striking distance of Japan, is voiced by informed circles as the result of an imminent visit of Major-General Stillwell on a mission for Mr Roosevelt. A Chungking Government spokesman declared that the United States had promised to send China a large number of ’planes. INDIAN SUPPLIES FOR CHINA. (Rec. 6.30). NEW DELHI, Feb. 21. The Indian Government has issued a notification exempting from duty defence supplies for China. This is the first evidence of an understanding between China' and India. CHINESE BLOW UP JAP. TRAIN. (Rec. 9.25.) CHUNGKING, Feb. 21. The Chinese attacked Chiyuan in North Honan Province, and .blew up a Japanese troop train south of Tangying, killing four hundred soldiers and destroying the engine and four coaches. The Chinese attacked Japanese troop concentrations near the Honan-Shantung border, and also carried out offensive operations in North Kiangsi Province.