Late News GOVERNMENT AND MR GANDHI

Southland Times, Issue 24986, 24 February 1943, Page 5

Late News GOVERNMENT AND MR GANDHI

(Rec. 2 a.m.) LONDON, Feb. 23. It is improbable that the Government of India will relax its attitude towards Mr Gandhi’s demand for unconditional release, says the political correspondent of The Daily Express. The view taken is that he fasted voluntarily, refusing the Government’s offer of freedom while fasting to enable him to fast in some place of his own choice. The Viceroy’s Ministers feel that it would be unfair to the mass of loyal Indians and the British forces and police to surrender to Mr Gandhi. It would also anger the Moslems and other influential bodies and create an even more difficult pclitical situation. Whitehall confirms the Indian Government’s view. The latest b lletin states that there is no apparent change in Mr Gandhi’s condition. He appears to be comfortable.

ATLANTIC CLIPPER CRASHES (Rec. 2 a.m.) LONDON, February 23. A Clipper flying-boat from the United States with 40 persons aboard, of whom 27 were passengers, crashed while landing on the river Tagus, Portugal. Four people were killed, 10 injured and 20 others are missing. The Lisbon correspondent of the British United Press says the Clipper exploded the moment it touched the water and sank immediately.