INDIA SITUATION

Southland Times, Issue 21607, 20 January 1932, Page 5

INDIA SITUATION

REASSURING REPORTS

ARRESTS OF AGITATORS CONTINUE A SALUTARY EFFECT (United Press Assn.—By Telegraph—Copyright.) Calcutta, January 18. Arrests continue under the various special ordinances passed to forestall a revival of the disobedience campaign, but on the whole India is quieter than it has been for years past. The foreign goods boycott has definitely failed. The latest development in India in the Government’s campaign for the suppression of illegal activities is the restriction placed on British missionaries who are evincing active sympathy with the Congress movement. Two have been arrested and a third deported. A British Official Wireless message states that reports concerning the second week’s operation of the special Government measures in India are reassuring. In most of the provinces, notably Madras, Punjab, Bihar, Orissa, Bengal, the Central Provinces and Assam, there has been a little activity and apart from the North-West Province, a general absence of trouble in the rural areas. The situation in Bombay city is well under control. In the United Provinces the failure of the no-rent campaign has been a significant feature, and in the large towns of the provinces there is a definite tendency for the disturbances to settle down. In the North-West Province, although many arrests are still necessary and the disaffection tends to revive in some centres, the general improvement continues. In the Bombay Presidency the position generally is quiet. The arrest of leading agitators and the seizure of notified places continue. A considerable number of those arrested have since been released. In several cases disclaimers or apologies have been accepted by district magistrates. Occasionally hartals have received comparatively little support. Reports state that the removal of the principal agitators had a salutary effect everywhere in the United Provinces, and the orders prohibiting processions and meetings had been generally obeyed. Allahabad is still the worst centre of activity in the province. Although no further serious clash between the police and processions has occurred in Bengal, the situation generally is quiet and the antiGovernment movement has not gained momentum. A decrease in important crime compared with the previous week is recorded in Burma where the surrenders continue, particularly in the Prome district. RUMOUR DENIED INTERVIEW OF PRISONERS. (Rec. 7.0 p.m.) Delhi, January IS. A rumour that the Indian Government is likely to encourage any section of political leaders to interview Gandhi or other imprisoned Congressmen with a view to negotiations is described as being without foundation. MISSIONARIES’ ATTITUDE SYMPATHY WITH CONGRESS. (Rec. 7.45 p.m.) Delhi, January 19. Dr. Ernest Forrester Paton, a Scottish missionary at Turruppatur, was charged before an Indian Judge at Madras with picketing shops selling British goods Dr. Paton, who is a brother-in-law of Mr J. D. Miliar, a Labour member of the House of Commons for East Fife, claimed trial as a British subject. The case was adjourned. Tlie sympathetic attitude of other missionaries towards the Congress movement is exercising official circles. Mr G. B. Hal stead, an American missioner and social director of Lucknow Christian College, has been requested to leave the country owing to his political activities. Father Elliven also an American and a personal ftiend of Gandhi, was deported from the NorthWest Frontier Province. INDIANS IN TOKIO PROTEST AGAINST GANDHI’S ARREST. (Rec. 11.15 p.m.) Tokio, January 19. Fourteen members of the Indian Patriotic Association visited the British Embassy to-day to protest against Gandhi’s imprisonment. They demanded an interview with the Ambassador and upon refusal smashed the windows, forced an entry to the chancellery and scattered handbills. The police were called in and arrested four of the demonstrators. The others fled.