BRITISH APPEAL TO INDIA

Southland Times, Issue 23953, 20 October 1939, Page 8

BRITISH APPEAL TO INDIA

UNITY OF COUNTRY NECESSARY

VIOLENT PROTEST AGAINST NAZI OUTRAGE (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) (Received October 19, 6.30 p.m.) RUGBY, October 18. The Secretary for India (Lord Zetland) replying to a question by Lord Snell (Labour) in the House of Lords about the statement on British policy in India made by the Viceroy (the Marquess of Linlithgow) said:— “The outbreak of war immediately evoked from one end of India to the other a violent protest against the outrage committed by the Nazi Government and resulted in spontaneous offers of support irrespective of class or community. “Before the war, however, the Congress Party protested against troop movements occasioned by necessary defence measures, although these precautionary moves were communicated to the leaders of. all political parties in the Assembly.” Passing from this phase Lord Zetland, dealing with the position at the outbreak of war, stated that, with his approval, the Viceroy had been for a long time in close touch with the Mahatma Gandhi and he expressed gratitude for the Mahatma’s readiness to Help not only in interpreting the Congress viewpoint and aspirations, but also by his endeavours to appreciate the difficulties and the outlook of the British Government.

CONVERSATIONS WITH GANDHI Mahatma Gandhi had given much help in an attempt to surmount these difficulties. An invitation to meet the Viceroy had been immediately accepted and as the outcome of the conversations Mr Gandhi had publicly stated that his personal view was: “That in the struggle upon which the country has entered, India should give Unconditional support to the British Government.” Lord Zetland then mentioned the comprehensive statement of the Congress Working Committee which had received careful consideration. “Broadly speaking, its effect was, while unequivocally the action of the German Government, to make it clear that before Congress could decide to give support it wishes to be informed of the British war aims, and particularly how the aims would apply to India.” Meanwhile, the working committee of the All-India Muslim League, the next most powerful organization in Indian politics, had issued a statement also condemning the Nazis but expressing the views of the internal political situation showing substantial divergence from the views of Congress.

The Viceroy also received the views of princes and the National Liberal League as well as the leaders of the minorities.

Out of this background of the Indian picture two main features arose. First, the unanimous desire of all communities to see the overthrow of the menace overshadowing Europe and mankind; second, the desire for selfexpression in the form of democratic political self-government. But the minorities demand safeguards against the majority. ROOT OF DIFFICULTY

“And herein is found the root cause of the main difficulty,” said Lord Zetland. “For this reason the problem of Indian self-government is not as simple as it appears to those confining their view to one part of the picture only. Members of the Viceroy’s consultative committee, which is maintaining close touch with all aspects of the war, would be in a position to give free and frank expression on all matters laid before them, and, being fully representative of the members of all the communities working in close association with each other, would tend gradually to lessen the differences now existing between the various interests and emphasize the common viewpoints of all taking part in the work.” Speaking'of the future, the Secretary for India said the object of the British Government was, as ever, the attainment of Dominion status for India. PURPOSE OF 1935 ACT The purpose of the 1935 Act, continued Lord Zetland,- was to provide machinery by which India might acquire the measure of practical unity necessary as a pre-requisite natural to the attainment of the eventual goal. The Act was compiled with immense labour, both Indian and British, and was based on the greatest measure of common agreement then obtainable. Although providing a written constitution, this was a mere skeleton to be given flesh by every-day working. This had happened in the provinces and he believed that if Federal provisions were instituted the same success would be obtained. Lord Zetland reiterated the Viceroy’s statement that when the war was over the Government would be very willing to hear all interests on modifications of the plan arising in the light of existing circumstances. It was not practicable and not in the interests of the Indian peoples to enter into controversies now or to embark on a task of great complexity in circumstances, which though existing now, may well not exist when victory is obtained in the war.

“What we have to work for is the elimination of communal antagonisms which still militate against the unity of India,” said Lord Zetland. “You cannot abolish them by merely closing your eyes to their existence. You must face them and search for the means to remove their underlying causes. I believe that the menace which now confronts all of us, Englishmen, Hindus, Muslims, Princes and peoples alike, may aid us to achieve what hitherto has eluded our grasp. “This then is my appeal to the people of India: That in comradeship with us, while presenting a united front to the forces ranged against us, they strive after that agreement among themselves without which they will surely fail to achieve that unity which is an essential of the nationhood, of which those with vision among her leaders have long dreamed and which must surely be the crowning achievement of the long, intimate political relationship between the peoples of Britain and India.”

“CONGRESS WILL NOT COOPERATE”

STATEMENT BY MAHATMA GANDHI

ALLAHABAD, October 18.

The Mahatma Gandhi in a statement on the declaration by the Viceroy of India (the Marquess of Linlithgow) said: “Congress will not co-operate with Britain in the war.”

The Congress and the Press generally are bitterly hostile. Nevertheless, moderate members of the Congress are of the opinion that the declaration contains nothing preventing India from giving unqualified support to the Allies. Unofficial circles generally welcome the declaration while they remind Congress that it does not alone represent India.