Indian Congress Party’s Proposal Unacceptable

Northern Advocate, 9 November 1939, Page 6

Indian Congress Party’s Proposal Unacceptable

LONDON, November 7. In a statement in the House of Lords, in which he expressed the Government’s regret at the failure of the consultations between representatives of the All-India Congress and the Moslem League, the Secretary for India (the Marquess of made it clear that Britain found it impossible to accept the Congress Party’s propositions. He recalled that the long-standing British connection with India left Britain with obligations, which made it impossible for the Government to disinterest itself wholly in Shaping India’s future form of government. Britain’s Attitude Unchanged, f Moreover, he added, the Viceroy (the Marquess of Linlithgow) in his discussions with the Indian leaders, had established beyond doubt that such abandonment by Britain of its position in India would be far froth acceptable to large sections of the population. & Britain, Lord Zetland emphasised, had not ’weakened in her determination to assist India, to reach, without avoidable delay, the position, in the British Commonwealth of Nations to which she was pledged—namely, Dominion status as laid down in _ the Balfour Declaration, of 1926, ,ahd giveh legal form in the Statute of Westminster in 1931. Labour Views. Britain regretted the withdrawal of the Ministries of certain provinces, and hoped that the measures taken to carry on government in their absence would only be of temporary duration. The Labour Leader (Lord Snell) said that Britain could not compel aigreement in India, the existing differences being based upon deep-seated fears, and prejudices. He felt that Lord Zetland’s statement gave no lead as to the next step, and suggested that the Government give such a lead. Interim Methods. The Leader of the Liberals (Viscount , Samuel) said he thought that the efforts made to meet the situation ■were the only possible ones in the circumstances, but they could only be interim methods. A statement similar to that of Lord Zetland was made in the House of Commons by the Foreign Under-Sec-retary (Mr R. A. Butler). He said that the Ministries of Bengal, Punjab, and Sind did-not oWe allegiance to Congress, and had not resigned, while in Assam, there was the possibility of an alternative government. , Carrying on Government. Mr Butler emphasised that the as-* . sumption of government by the Gov- ■ ernors was in no sense penal, but . was only the operation of a section of . the Act under which the carrying on of the government was ensured. Answering questions, Mr Butler said no detailed proposals by the assembly had been submitted by the Congress [ party leaders. Their attitude was that they were not prepared to participate in any discussions unless given a declaration in 11 the sense that they desired. Paradoxical Position. While Mr Gandhi and Congress em- > phatically declare opposition to Hitler ’ and sympathy for Britain against the ; Nazis, says a message from Bombay, ■ the present apparently paradoxical ; situation has arisen because Mr Gandhi, representing eight of the 11 provinces, claimed that the Ministries must either support the war or resign. Six have already resigned and two are resigning this week. Mr Gandhi says: “Let a constituent ’ assembly be elected of representatives ■ of India, to frame .a Constitution subi ject to safeguards for the protection ■ of the rights of minorities to their • satisfaction. • ■> t “Will Britain this?” » j Moslems’ Stand. The Moslem leader (Mr Jinnah) says: “Moslems do not w.ant protec- , tion as a minority, but want a voice in framing the Constitution. [ j “The proposal by Congress to leave , Moslem rights to an undefined constituent assembly is not acceptable to' , the Moslem League.”

The attitude of the three Moslem Provincial Governments is summed up by the Premier of Punjab (Sir Sikander Hyat-Khan) who claims that the Punjab can supply 1,000,000 trained men.

He says: “This bargaining is despicable. All Indians should offer their wholehearted and unconditional support to Britain.”

Assurance To Burma. A cablegram from Rangoon says the Governor of Burma (Sir Archibald Cochrane) told the Ministers that Britain had given an assurance that she would use the greatest endeavours to give Burma a new place in the British Commonwealth. He added that Burma would not adopt the Indian Congress tactics, but deserved ,and was capable Of assimilating a greater measure of reform than India. The Congress Ministry of the NorthWest Frontier Province has resigned, according to a message from Peshewar.