Demand for Free India

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 43, 21 February 1938, Page 6

Demand for Free India

Congress President Wants To Follow De Valera “MUST WATCH WHITEHALL” United Press Association— Jßjr dee trie Telegraph.—Copyright. Received Sunday, 6.30 p.m. LONDON, Feb. 19. A demand for a free India was voiced by the new President, Mr. Chandra Bose, in opening the session of the All India Congress, Says a message from Haripura. “The ultimate stage of our progress will be the severance of the British connection. When that takes place, and there is no trace of British domination left,” he said, “we will bo in a position to determine our future relations with Britain through a treaty or alliance voluntarily entered into by both parties like Mr. de Valera. We have no enmity towards Britain, and once we have real self-determination, there is no reason why we should not enter into most cordial relations.” Referring to the new Constitution, Mr. Bose said: “If it is rejected, l have no doubt British ingenuity will seek some other constitutional device for partitioning India and thereby neutralising the tzansference of power to the Indian people. Therefore, any Constitution emanating from Whitehall must be examined with the utmost care. Our goal is an independent India, whiett can be attained only through a federal republic, in which the provinces and states are willing partners. “Acceptance of office by the provinces as an experimental measure should not lead us to think that our future activity will be confined within the limits of strict constitutionalism. There is every possibility that determined opposition to the forcible inauguration of federation may land us in another big civil disobedience campaign. Even after freedom is won the Congre3* Party must remain to put into effect the entire programme of reconstruction, which provides for preparing the country for self-defence, unifying India and giving scope to local cultural unity.” The Congress central executive decided not to recall the other five Congress Ministers, as it is reluctant to precipitate in direct action. It will invite the Viceroy to reconsider his decision. GANDHI’S BLOOD PRESSURE EFFECT OF THE CRISIS Received Sunday, 6.30 p.m. HARIPURA, Feb. 18. It is understood that Gandhi seut a letter to the Viceroy on the lines of earlier comments on his policy. The crisis has caused a recurrence of Gandhi’s blood pressure.