Fate of the Princes Is In the Balance

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26544, 20 August 1947, Page 8

Fate of the Princes Is In the Balance

For the Daily Times by Sydney Smith. NEW DELHI, Aug. 3. This week-end the first of India’s 562 hereditary rulers, after two months of haggling, are signing a document known as the Instrument of Accession. It will reduce the princes to little more than picturesque # governors of the autonomous provinces of India.

This remarkable document was presented to the princes only eight days ago. Their negotiating committee accepted it on Thursday. Some have already signed it. Others, more resigned to making the best of it, are taking the document back to their States to sign and attach their seals with a suitable flourish and ceremony. Only four major States, Hyderabad. Kashmir. Indore and Ghopal, with a total population of 23,000.000 people, are making a last-ditch stand for independence “ Princely Row ” The history of this princely row began to reach its highest pitch with the announcement of the Mountbatten plan on June 3. A brief 37-word paragraph in the plan emphasised the princes’ future independence and freedom to do as they wished. In 37 words the cen-tury-and-a-half relationship between Britain and the States was overthrown and a two-and-a-half month date set for breaking treaties and agreements. One quarter of the population of India, and one third of its territory were left unprovided for. Five hundred and sixty-two disappointed but Still ambitious rulers were let loose to bargain and bicker individually for their futures. A few of the realists had already declared they would join the new India and more followed swiftly. But the biggest States, with more than half the States’ total population of 93,000,000 people, began trying to form groups and blocs for independence. On July 10 Mr Attlee said the Government’s attitude to the States declaring independence would be. “ Take your time and think again.” Lord Listowel said: “ His Majesty’s Government will not use the slightest pressure to influence their momentous and voluntary decision.” The prospects looked bright and Delhi glittered with princes in airconditioned limousines. Mountbatten's Advice Then, eight days ago, the party ended. The Viceroy called a conference and warned them: “ You won’t get such good terms if you don’t join one of the new dominions before August 15.” He forecast that if nothing replaced British paramountcy in the States at once “ only chaos can result.” When the Prime Minister of Cutch State stood up and complained that this was hurrying things rather as his ruler was on the high seas the Viceroy picked up a glass crystal paperweight and, gazing into it theatrically said: “ I can see your ruler now. He wants you to join the dominion.” This raised rather a wan chuckle. When another Premier asked him what would be the position in six months’ time of a State remaining independent, the Viceroy said: “If you want to be a guinea pig try it and see, and write and tell me what happens.” This raised an even more feeble chuckle.

The princes were given until August 10, at the latest, to make up their minds to sign the instrument of accession or face the Viceroy’s threatened chaos. His tactics won the day. The fence-sitting and hesitation ended. Many Sign This week-end most of the princes sign a document giving. the Dominion Legislature the right to make law as for the control of the States’ foreign affairs, defence and communications, including shipping, harbours, airlines, airports, railways, posts and telegraphs. It will not remove the princes from their jewel-encrustcd silver thrones or prevent them riding to durbars on their painted and gold-draped elephants. It will not interfere with their total of .6000 high-sounding ranks and titles, their 2810 wives and official concubines, nor their 6744 offspring. It will not touch their personal fortunes or their incomes. Yet none of them like it. This, they say, is the thin end of a pretty thick wedge. Their chief objections are these: While British India has been split by communal war, communal consciousness’ has hardly touched the States. They have been the most stable unit in India’s, internal strife. Now they must join one or the other side of an India riven by communal disputes. All the princes wanted was the right to deal- with the new dominions by treaties and not by signing a massproduced accession form. They resent the fact that, after their war efforts and past traditions of alliance, they are cut off from future direct relations with Britain, while Congress, the organiser of war-time terrorism and mass civil disobedience, gets dominion status. Hyderabad Holds Out These are also the main objections of the four big States still holding out for their independence. Indore is reported to be wavering. Bhopal, deserted by most of his earlier followers, is in difficulties. Kashmir, bordering Pakistan, with which it wants to negotiate, is in a stronger position. Hyderabad, the biggest, is the firmest and bitterest of all. The Nizam rules a State the size of France, with 17,000,000 population, 6,000,000 more than Canada, and twice as many as Australia. He feels that his size and position, his past record and his war aid entitle him to dominion status on his own. His negotiating committee, now in Delhi, is firmly backing him v in his refusal to sign. He has as Veil the biggest private army in India, 20,000 strong, _ w>ith a British chief of staff and a British commander of supplies and personnel. The State is self-supporting for food only, and if it is' still independent after August 15 the Indian Dominions’ greatest weapon will be economic sanctions. Hyderabad’s counter-move to that will be political agreement with Pakistan, which could involve the two dominions in some diplomatic embarrassment.

Some of the princes thought the Viceroy was being rather flippant. His hustling tactics seemed out of sympathy with the more statesmanlike declarations of Westminster.