INDIAN POLICY DEBATED

Chronicle (Levin), 7 March 1947, Page 8

INDIAN POLICY DEBATED

Press Assn.

TIME LIMST IN WHICH TO SI.NK D1FFERENCES

Jy TelegrapJi

-Copyrighl

LONDON, Mtir. 5. Moving in tlio lioi^se oi (Jomi it oi ih a j'osolnt ioii lo appi'ove tlie (iovei'nnieiit's detusion o n Iiulia, Sir JStaiToi'd C'L'ipps said that two main alternatives had faeed Ihe v sovt'i'iinu'nt. Dnt1 was to have strengthened British eontrol considerably and reini'orce the J3ritisli troops there, which would have entailed a delinite decision that Britain shouid I'emain in India for at least 15 to 20 years. Tlie Government had unhesitatingly rejected this. The other alternative was to have made a i'urther at-tempt to persuade the Indians to eome togeiher, at tlie same time warning them that there was a time liinit during which Britain was prepared to lhaintain lier responsibility. Sir Stafford said the Bi'itish view was that a time limit would give tlie Indians an opportunity to sink their differences. Britain was convinced that the Indians could arrive at a decision on the new Constitution hy June, 1948, if they at onee set themselves to the task. "We have now reached the linal and most critical stage in India," Sir Stafford declared. "We will have to take risks as to Ihe effert of our aetion on uur country, on India and on tlie rest oi' tlie world." Sir Stafford said Britain would do all in lu-r povver to cncourage the formation of aii ludian Government as revomniended by tlie Cabinet Mission. If that were impossible and tliere were 110 sueli eentral government by June, 1948, Britain would be foreed to elioose in the existing eireuiiLStanees the most appropriate government or governineiits to which to liaud povver, but at present it was impossibie to fore cast whai would then be tlie wisest aetion to take. The onlv way to remove tlie uncertainty was to get agreement betvveen the lndian comiiiunities. He therefore urged the lndian leaders to eome togethor, so that thev would he able to lead India into palhs avoid ing the horror and tragedvyof internal strife and allovv her to develop her great resources th rough peaee into prosperily. Sir Joiin Anderson ehargcd the Government lirst with reckless aetion in allovv ing the lndian leador to form a (iovernnient vvithout the"* assuranee of the spe.edy framing~ o-L the Constitution; seeoiully, complete f'ailure to take or even .consider measures necessary to mahitahi eiliciencv in India; thirdly, unjustiliable gambling 011 the fixed date. Britain bv fixiug.the date threw away the last bargaiuing po'wer it needed for the discharge of eertain obligations, sucli as defence. What shouild stand out as a great aet of magnanimity and self-abdication might go dovvn in history as surrendel' and betraval. Sir John Anderson moved the Opposition amendment that the House was unable to ae.cept the Government 's India plan on the gronnd that it prejudiced the working out of suitable Constitutional measures.