FUTURE OF INDIA

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 30 March 1931, Page 5

FUTURE OF INDIA

CONSTITUTIONAL SAFEGAURDS COMMENT BY LORD IRWIN (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, 27th March. A newspaper story that Mr Wedgwood Benn, Secretary for India, had sent a personal telegram to Mr Gandhi was officially denied in London to-day. The published statement attributed to him, that in any future Round Table Conference constitutional safeguards would be regarded as being entirety open to discussion, was described as a distortion of the true position. This was touched upon by' the Viceroy, Lord Irwin, in a speech at a farewell banquet in his honour at New Delhi last night. He said that the safeguards suggested at the Round Table Conference had been subjected to some criticism and misunderstanding. Indian opinion was surely not less anxious than any opinion in Great Britain to see ample security' provided where necessary' for the good of India in the sphere of credit and finance. It was the considered view of His Majesty’s Government that, in the interest of India, it was imperative to provide effective safeguards for the maintenance of financial stability, and for the protection of India’s credit. The Government had reached the conclusion that to secure this purpose the financial safeguards discussed at the Round Table Conference were essential.

If, however, in the course of further constitutional discussions any of those participating in them desired to suggest other financial safeguards, the Government, in accordance with the terms of the statement issued on sth March by the Governor-General in Council, would not wish to limit their right to do so, and would be prepared to give such suggestions careful consideration. The acceptance by the Government of such alternative suggestions would depend on the ability of those proposing them to convince the Government that the safeguards would be equally effective for the purpose, described.

Lord Irwin said that only a shallow critic woilkl undervalue the powerful and promising framework which the Round Table Conference had prepared.

DELHI AGREEMENT CONFIRMED (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) DELHI, 28th March. The Congress Working Committee of Karachi passed a resolution confirming the Delhi agreement between the Viceroy and Gandhi. It also voted confidence in Gandhi and appointed him head of the conference delegation to London. Other resolutions reaffirmed the goal of complete independence, yvith control of the army', foreign relations, finance, and fiscal policy', and the release of all political prisoners. The Mau Jawan Sasha, or Youth League, which includes frontier Bolshevists, wearing red coats with the insignia of a hammer and sickle, attacked the Delhi agreement and the Congress policy. They' outlined a programme including intensive boycott of British goods.

BARMANS AND INDIANS INCREASING HOSTILITY DELHI, "29th March. Burma appears to have as many troubles as pagodas. Besides the rebellion, earthquake, and recent fire at Pakokku, which rendered two thousand homeless and caused damage to the extent of forty lakhs of rupees, the Government is now called upon to deal with definite Btirman hostility towards Indians.

Severe tension exists between Burmans and Indians in Pegu district. Yesterday Burmans started burning huts and hayricks belonging to the Indians. Military police shot one Burman while he was burning an Indian house.

CAWNPORE RIOTS

FIGHTING CONTINUES DELHI, 25th March. Sporadic fighting continues in Cawnpore, which is cut off from the rest of India except by telephone. In the worst communal rioting for several years 112 were killed. Extra troops and police are being rushed to the scene. 124 DEATHS PANIC IN CITY ;"y DELHI, 28th March. The death roll at Cawnpore is.officially stated at T 24, ineluding 89 Moslems and 35 Hindus. Several women and children are among the victims. The estimate of wounded is 400, the majority of whom are Moslems. Over a hundred houses were burned and much property damaged. There have been 150 arrests. The people are in panic. Ten thousand fled from the city and business is suspended. Food supplies from nearby villages have broken down. Armoured cars with troops and 1200 armed police are patrolling the streets Requests for martial law were refused. CLASHES CONTINUE (Received 30th March, 9.0 a.m.) DELHI, 29th March. Cawnpore is India’s unliealthiest city at the moment. Besides the casualties cabled numbers of dead and injured have not been reported. The streets are full of garbage and the conservancy system has broken down and serious epidemics are feared. Sporadic attacks continue, Hindus and Moslems clashing at sight, regardless of age, sex or time, and police and troops fire on both parties.