INDIAN DEADLOCK

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 6 October 1942, Page 2

INDIAN DEADLOCK

IMPRISONED CONGRESS LEADERS CONSULTATIONS URGED GANDHI’S INTEGRITY DEFENDED (Rec. 11.15 a.m.) London, Oct. 5. A New Delhi message states that Mr M. S. Anfy, senior Indian member of the Viceroy’s Council, said he and several other Indian members of the council felt disposed to permit consultations with the imprisoned Indian Congress leaders in order to begin looking for a settlement of the present deadlock. Mr Anfy, defending Gandhi’s integrity, said Gandhi would keep his word if he promised not to interfere with India taking a fighting part, in the war under an Indian National Government. VIEW OF CHURCHMAN Adressing Birmingham transport workers, the Bishop of Birmingham, Dr. Barnes, said “Mr Gandhi ciesires freedom for India and insists that force must not be used to obtain it. Nothing has been able to make him change his policy or deflect from his goal. When you hear suggestions that Gandhi is as untrustworthy as any cheap Asiatic in the slums of Cardiff, ignore it. Pacifism to-day is so rare that a pacifist is bound to be misunderstood. There are unfortunate incidents in history which we have forgotten but which have bitter memories in India. British commercial firms flourish in India and business leaders too often show racial arrogance. Some of the evils of British industrial revolution flourish unchecked because our bureaucratic Administration lacks the initiative and the revolutionary fervour which transformed Russia. There is wooden complacency instead of far-reaching idealism. President Roosevelt is building a bridge to end the deadlock and negotiations between the leaders in Britain and India might well begin again.”—P.A.