Indians Agog To Learn Their Fate

Northern Advocate, 3 June 1947, Page 5

Indians Agog To Learn Their Fate

(Received 11.20 a.m.) LONDON, June 2. NO. 10 Downing Sti’eet announced that Mr Attlee will make a statement in the House of Commons on India tomorrow afternoon. The Times New Delhi correspondent says Indians themselves are agog to learn what India’s fate is going to be at the hands of its leaders rather than at those of the British Government. Communal feelings are running high and local authorities are straining every nerve to keep the peace.

British, besides Indian troops, have been called out and are standing by at strategic centres in cities. The Government of India today strengthened its powers to deal with communal disturbances in Delhi Province, including punishment of death or transportation for life for stabbing and the death penalty for murder. The correspondent adds that a hopeful indication that today's meeting went well is that Messrs Nehru, Jinnah and Baldev Singh are going to broadcast after the Viceroy has given his personal message. Their attitude to the British proposals will presumably be finally shaped after consultation with their co-religionists. It is understood that proceedings were amicable at the morning meeting with the Viceroy, which adjourned after two hours, and nothing like outright rejection was mooted. Mr Jinnah did not leave the Viceroy’s house until 20 minutes after the

other leaders. Mr Gandhi earlier went there in reply to an urgent summons.

There is reason to think that the influence of the various Indian leaders with their respective working committees will be used on the side of moderation and compromise, even if the proposals themselves are not wholly palatable. Nevertheless, it is necessary at this stage to guard against undue optimism, because anything may happen in the next 24 hours to wreck the plan. It is understood, says The Times, that the British Parliament will hear the decision from Mr Attlee at the same time as Lord Mountbatten speaks to the Indians, after which events should move fast. The Viceroy will hold a Press conference on Wednesday and, assuming that there is a measure of agreement, steps will immediately be taken to implement a procedural plan.