RULE OF INDIA

Grey River Argus, 30 January 1946, Page 3

RULE OF INDIA

MOSLEMS v. HINDUS LONDON, Jan. 28 A Curfew and a ban on the assembly of more than five persons have been withdrawn in areas of Bombay affected by the recent riots. This means a return to almost normal conditions, but a ban on the carrying of weapons remains in force. The Moslem leader, Dr. Jinnah, in a statement replying to Lord Wavell’s address to the Legislative Assembly at New Delhi, said that the Moslem League would’ not agree to a single constitution-making hbdy for British India. Dr. Jinnah declared a central government was unacceptable even as an interim arrangement. He urged the British Government and the Viceroy to face the realities and make a clear declaration on the issue of Pakistan. He argued that a single interim government would lead to the supremacy of the “Hindu Congress,” and added that the Moslems were grimly resolved to establish a free Moslem State in north-western ana’ eastern India. The atmosphere of bitterness in Indian politics to which Lord Wavell referred, was brought about by the Hindu Congress, whose policy was to crush the Moslem League and disrupt Moslems. Meanwhile the Moslem League remained scrupulously aloof from interference with Hindu electorates. Lord Wavell s proposals, even as an interim airangement, would defer the day of India’s freedom, not only for the Moslems, but also other nationalities. U.S.A. TROOPS IN INDIA WITHDRAWAL URGED. WASHINGTON, Jan. 28. Representative Caller sent a lettei to the Secretary of War (Mr Patterson) urging the return of all American troops from India and Burma before they became embroiled in British-Indian politics. He expressed the opinion that if disorders resulted from the British refusal to grant government, American troops might be compelled to fight in selfdefence. He said he had been informed that American troops in India on January 1 numbered 55,000, and would Tie reduced by 4000 on July 1. He added frankly that the excuse of protecting surplus property was no longer valid for keeping a single American soldier in India. Mr Patterson told a Press Conference ho believed it would be possible to speed the withdrawal of American troops from India, Burma, and the Middle East, and discharge all men at present there before June 30.