Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-12-31
India, With Huge Population,
Plans Federation Like u. S,

others which have about 40 to 100 in
habitantS, with an area of less than
square mile.
The question rises as to how these
are to come into the federation. 1t is
stated that the official view of the
labor cabinet is to apply trade union
principles to the princes, ask them to
organize, join in small groups in va
riouS areas with representatives of their
central body, the chamber Of princes.
The flrst difficulty that arose was that
the membership Of the chamber was
optional, and many important states
felt that they would lose their dig
nifty and prestige If they joined the
chamber.
Many rulers also received support Of
this view from officers of the political
department of the government of
India, who were, up to now, little cars
giving orders to the rulers under the
guise of advice, and who felt that their
power was slipping away as the princes
began to get more influence by coming
directly into touch with the govern
ment Of India and the viceroy at Delhi
In order to overcome this dif1culty,
the viceroy, 1t is believed, will exert
his influence during his tour in the
southern Indian states to induce the
rulers to join the chamber. When all
assembly, then 1t will be easy to devise
ways and plans by which the chamber
OF princes can work with the central
Indian legislature and frame a fedora
ton constitution.
This federation must constitute q
still smaller body, with proportional
representatives Of both midas, who will
deal directly with all-India subjects,
the central legislature being RESPONSE
BILE for British India and the chamber
OF princes being representative Of the
whole body Of Indian princes.
kA%%
1t would be necessary to strengthen
the hands of the representatives of the
Chamber OF Princes. It is evident that
certain limitations would be placed on
the complete sovereignty Of the various
Indian states in order to conform to
the general policy of the federation.
Also, the representatives Of the states
in the All-India Constitution should
nave the power to enforce the decisions
In the various states. This will be one
OF the main functions of the round
table conference which has been called
by the present government for next
Summer.
The leading Indian princes and
leaders OF Indian political thought are
holding conferences in order to settle
the differences that now exist. The
maharajahs of Patiala, the chancellor
of the Chamber of Princes and OF
Bikanir, an ex-chancellor, have opened
negotiations through v. j. Patel, preSi-
dent of the Indian Legislative Assem-
bly,. The leaders of the all-partieS con-
ference, which has brought out a conf
piete dominion constitution for India
after two years of labor have sent invi-
tat1onS to the standing committee of
the Chamber of Princes to meet to dis
cusS the future Of Indian states. The
chamber will make an important deci-
sion IN the matter at their meetings in
February. March and April will be
spent IN preliminary negotiation in IN
dia. BY that time 1t is hoped that the
simon commission, which has been re"
viewing the work Of the reforms act of
1919. will have made its recommends
tons as to the princes.
Among all these conferences and ne
gotiations that are going on at present,
V. j. Patel, president OF the Indian
Legislative Assembly, Is perhaps the
leading personality. II was he who
on his return to India and it was he
who conveyed the word Of the declara-
ton and the invitations to a confer
ence Of Indian leaders. Mr.. Patel sent
invitations to the leaders OF all the
parties in the assembly and the meet
haraj ahs of Patiala and Dholpur con-
ferred with him and, as a matter of
fact, It was his influence that weighed
with the Indian leaders and led them
to accept the invitation in Q cordial
spirit.