INDIA DEADLOCK

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22971, 24 February 1938, Page 13

INDIA DEADLOCK

CONGRESS DEMANDS RELEASE OF PRISONERS VICEROY STATES POSITION By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright (Received February 23, G. 5 p.m.) British Wireless RUGBY, Feb. 22 A statement issued to-day by the Viceroy of India, the Marquess of Linlithgow, reviews the history of the difficulties which have arisen in the United Provinces and in Bihar in connection with the demand for the release of political prisoners. Lord Linlithgow emphasises that the prisoners whose release is in dispute are, almost without exception, persons convicted by the normal criminal Courts of violence or of preparation for specific acts of violence To have acquiesced in the immediate and indiscriminate release of these prisoners would have been to strike a blow at tho root of law and order in India and dangerously to threaten peace and good government. There was no going back on the policy of readiness to examine individual cases and to release prisoners where there was no undue risk involved. There was, further, no impropriety in the Governors concerned requiring individual examination, or in declining without it to accept the advice of their Ministers. I 1 in ally, there was no foundation for the suggestion that the action he (the Viceroy) had taken was dic-> tated by a desire to undermine the position of the Congress Ministers. Neither the Governors nor the Viceroy had any desire to interfere. After laying stress on the fact that the Congress Ministers need expect no difficulty in securing the friendly and ready co-operation of the Governors, Lord Linlithgow added: "Apparently there is no disposition to extend the area of difficulty beyond the limits of the present position and I hope for an early return to normality in the two provinces most concerned." PROVINCIAL PREMIERS

REQUEST BY GOVERNORS RETENTION OF OFFICE FURTHER NEGOTIATIONS (Received February 23, 5.5 p.m.) Times Cable LONDON, Feb. 22 The Delhi correspondent of the Times says the Indian Congress regards the statement of the Viceroy, the Marquess of LinlithgoAv, as being of a conciliatory nature. The publication of the statement coincides with an announcement that the Governors have asked the Premiers of Bihar and the United Provinces to continue in office pending other arrangements. This is interpreted as indicating the resumption of negotiations, with prospects of a settlement.