“TOO VAGUE”

Wairarapa Times-Age, 23 October 1939, Page 6

“TOO VAGUE”

MR GANDHI ON BRITISH OFFtR TO INDIA. LANGUAGE OF PRECISION ' WANTED. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. BOMBAY. October 21. Mr Gandhi today described Britain’s offer to India as too vague. Congress wanted India to be treated as an independent nation, he said. It was necessary to speak to India in a language of precision before she would be enthusiastic about participation in the war. Provided the will existed, the Congress demands were easily fulfilled.

“This will is not evident in the Viceroy's statement,” Gandhi said. “It is for the constituent Assembly to decide whether India is ready for Dominion status.’ VICEROY CRITICISED. STATEMENT INDEFINITE. (Received This Day, 11.10 a.m.) LONDON. October 22. The Associated Press of America’s Bombay correspondent states that the council of the National Liberal Federation, the third largest political body in India, which is usually pro-British, emphasises the inacceptability of the Viceroy's statement, and adds that Lord Linlithgow's promise that Dominion status would be considered after the war, and also his refusal to announce war aims, were indefinite and left Congress in an irresponsible position during the war. The council urged Indians to participate more largely in defence.