POSITION HOPELESS

Chronicle (Levin), 18 September 1948, Page 5

POSITION HOPELESS

(N.Z.P.A.-

-Reuterj

Call To Hyderabad To Lay Down Arms

Copyright)

Received Fnday, 10.20 p.m. " LONDON, Sept. 17. Reuter 's New Deihi correspondent states that the conmiander of the Indian forees in Hyderabad has called on the Hyderabad State forees to lay down their arms because ' 'further resistance can only result in heavy and unnecessary loss of life." The comxnander said the Indian forees could now enter Hyderabad at will from several directions. The British United Press New Delhi correspondent says a seeondary Indian eolumn of brigade strength supported by armour advancing from the south-east has pushed within 48 miles of Hyderabad City. Hyderabad 's Premier (Mir Lailc Ali) last night broadcast an appeal to Mr. Nehru: "Immediately order a eessation of hostilities and arrive at a geuerous understandig, " says Reuter 's Ka'a.ehi correspondent. He admitted that the Ir- > dian troops' superiority in numbers. arms and equipment would enabie 'tliem sooner or later to overwhelm Hyderabad, but their victory wquld leave bitterness and hatred in the hearts of millions for generations. "Even today we bear no ill will towards India and remain anxious to be friends. Reuter 's Poona correspondent says autlioritative military quarters suggest that a serious rift has talcen place hetween the Razakars and the Hydera ( l)ad State forees following the regular j troops' rapid withdrawal towards Hyderabad leaving the Razakars to face tlie Indian troops alone. There is 110 sign of the internal Hindu" rising on which the Indian Government counted when their troops invaded Hyderabad, and not one act of sabotage has so far been report ed, says tlie Daily Telegraph 's^special correspondent in Hyderabad City. Talks with Hirdus in the streets and fields convince cne, he adds, that the burning desire for union with India is confined to a handful of agitators and interested'parties. The masses are frankly indilferent to the political issue. The world-wide moral support shown for their eause has heartened the Hyderabad leaders, but without giving them any false sense of dependence 011 outside aid. The big question, the correspondent savs, is still Pakistan's attitude. Respect for the British Government has gone, but there is a faiut hope that F.N.O. under American leadership mav at the last niinute influence the Indian Governnient -011 the side of peaee.