INDIAN NATIONAL CONGRESS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 80, 30 December 1919, Page 5

INDIAN NATIONAL CONGRESS

PRESIDENT COiMPLAINS OP BROKEN PLEDGES. , (Eec, December 29, 8.35 p.m.) Delhi, December 2G. Jfr. Tcluk Nehru presided at the twenty-seventh Indian National Congress, which opened at Amritsar. He said they assembled in deep mourning for the cruel murder of hundreds of their brothers since tho last congress. Since tho last congress the war had ended and peaco had .come partially, but tho pledged given proved empty words. President Wilson s fourteen points wero dead, and "vao vietlts" was the order of tlio day. Prusfiiaiiism had been crushed, but militarism was enthroned. Russia, though desirous for peace, was not given respite, and tlio fate of Turkey hung in tho balance. Ireland and Egypt were made to feel the might of the British Empire. India',? first i'rirJts wero the Rowlatt Bills and mn'tßtl law. The speaker dealt with Hie unrest in the Punjab, dating from Lord Curzon's Vice-lioyalty, followed by continued repression and terrorism down to tho declaration of martial law and tho appointment of tho Hunter Committee..

Jfr, Telak Nehru added.: "Whatever wero the findings of tlio Hunter Committee regarding the initial necessity of martial law, there was net the slightest doubt, or. admissions mado by official witnesses before the committee, that then: was no justification for keeping it through Die longth of time during which the horrors were continuing," Ho declared that the Indians sought justice at the hands of the British democracy. On tho answer of that democracy depended the futu.ro good will of tlio people of India. Mr. Telak Nehru, referring to tho Reform Bill, said that it was not bused on tho wishes of tho Indian people, but it gave l.liom some powers and opened avenues in forviecs which hitherto had been closed to Indians. Their clear duty was to make tho most of what was given, and to press for what was duo. He demanded commissions for Indians in the Navy and Army, a satisfactory solution of tho Khalvat question, and tlio readjustment of the status of Indians overseas.—Aus.-N.si. Cable Assn.Reuter.