FAR EASTERN STRATEGY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 16 February 1942, Page 5

FAR EASTERN STRATEGY

IMPORTANCE OF INDIA REPRESENTATION ON WAR COUNCIL Rugby, Feb. 14. ; The presence of Japanese forces [ , barely 100 miles from Rangoon emphas- j ) ises the crucial importance of India in ! Far Eastern strategy. The urgency of • the situation is clearly reflected in the invitation to India to be represented in the War Cabinet and in the Pacific Council. “The Times” to-day describes this invitation as repairing an omission “rendered all the more anomalous by both the extent and effectiveness of India’s military effort and by the immediate threat to Indian territory from the East.” The invitation, however, is also a measure of the country’s growing political importance. An Agency message from New Delhi says that in the Central Assembly toj day Sir Reginald Maxwell, home mem- \ her explained the steps the Government :of India had taken as a precaution | cfgainst any likely invasion of India. He said all the powers which could be considered necessary had been taken by the Central and provincial Governments under the ordinances and defence of India rules. The Civil Defence Department had been created to maintain the people’s morale. The police forces had been strengthened by the additional recruitment of 30,000 men and more were be- [ ing enrolled. A force of 65,000 to ! operate as a civil guard had been created and a special watch was being exercised over individuals and organisations likely to assist the enemy and create disorder.