NEW VICEROY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 23 June 1943, Page 4

NEW VICEROY

APPOINTMENT OF MARSHAL WAVELL VIGOROUSLY DISCUSSED IN INDIA. NATIONALISTS SUSPICIOUS. (By Telcgrapn—Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day, 11.50 a.m.) LONDON, June 22. “Field-Marshal Wavell’s appointment as Viceroy has created a stir in India, where its implications are being vigorously discussed on all sides,” says “The Times” Simla correspondent. “Nationalist circles are highly suspicious and even iri the circles most friendly to Britain surprise persists at the appointment of a professional soldier as Viceroy for a period which is expected to extend beyond the war.

The argument that the appointment of a professional soldier is appropriate in view of India’s role against Japan does not make a deep impression. It is pointed out that problems for the Viceroy, including control of. food, clothing, transport and finance, and also political complications, could be dealt with at least as well and perhaps better by a civilian administrator.. It is also pointed out that the reorganisation of the military command makes the Viceroy no longer responsible for the conduct of the war against Japan, beyond keeping India as an efficient supply base. Some believe that the British Government may have envisaged the new Viceroy as a Minister of slate to assist in co-ordinating the various agencies involved in the operations against Japan without the necessity of reference to London. “Affairs in India at present are moving in the right direction,” the correspondent adds. “When Sir A. Wayell takes over control from Lord Linlithgow he may find an atmosphere in which a political advance is possible without detriment to the war effort.