LAST CHANCE EXTINGUISHED

Northern Advocate, 7 March 1947, Page 5

LAST CHANCE EXTINGUISHED

Mr Churchill complained that it was not possible to form an opinion on many aspects of the Indian controversy while the Government concealed the nature of the differences which must have arisen between the Cabinet and Earl Wavell. He at least expected to know whether Earl Wavell was in favour of imposition of a time limit or not. Mr Churchill -asked was Lord Mountbatten being sent to India to make another effort to restore the situation or merely on “Operation Scuttle” ? How could it be supposed that 14 months would be sufficient to bridge the 1000-year gulf between Moslems and Hindus. Mr Churchill added that the Government’s action extinguished the last chance of agreement in India. It was tantamount to inviting Indian leaders to take advantage of the time limit to put out their claims.

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The next 14 months would be used for preparation for a civil war, and disorders and disturbances like those at Lahore. Political parties in India did not represent the great masses. The Government was handing over to men of straw, of whom, in a few years, no trace would remain. India was being subjected not only to partition but to haphazard fragmentation. Mr Churchill here broke off to address himself to Sir Stafford Cripps. He said: “He ought not to smile. .1 would have thought the horrors which have been going on since the Nehru Government came to power would have led him to review matters searchingly in his conscience.” Contrasting the Palestine and Indian policies. Mr Churchill said: “Two bottles of powerful medicine were being prepared, but they went to the wrong patients.”