Evening star., 1942-04-28
Suggestions on India
Problem Welcome.
Commons Is Told
Vieeroy Would Receive
Motives Proposals,
Emery DecIores
~ the Associated Press.

~ the Associated Press.
LONDON. April 2s.--The vicero
OF India win welcome ~practics
suggestions" from Indian leaders {.
implement the war cabinets pro
posals for independence. the Secre
tary OF State for India, L. s. Amery
told the House Of Commons today.
He spoke after Sir Stafford Cripps
specisl envoy for the independence
talks, had told the House that moth
ing but good" would result from tn,
proposals which he took to Indis
last month but which Indian leader
rejected.
Welcomes Resolution.
Amery said he welcomed the re.
cent resolution Of the Madras section
of the dominant India Congress,
party rs hopeful" evidence thai
Indian leaders still mighS accept the
British offer. The resolution pro-
posed that the Congress recognize
the minority Moslem claim to In
dependence for predominantly Mos
lem states which had been a big
stumbling block TO Moslem Hindu
agreement.
The door Is open now and re-
mains open" to an agreement, Amery
asserted.
Cripps made a lengthy statement
on his trip.
3 owing 10 events In the Far East
ern theater OF war twhere the Brit
ish have been suffering reverses)
accompanied by highly skilled
though grossly misleading propa-
ganda from Axis sources, an atmos-
phere of defeatism and anti British
sentiment was showing itself in GER
tain sections of Indian opinion, -
said Sir Stafford, Lord Privy Seal
and Prime Minister Churchill's lieu
tenant in Commons,
Sincerity Of Purpose.
That a war cabinet member was
chosen 10 submit the proposals, he
said, demonstrated the sincerity of
our purpose"
Cripps disclosed he asked leading
Indian groups TO designate repre-
sentatives to meet him because "I
was most anxious there should be
no suspicion whatever that his
majesty's government was hand
picking those whom I saw"
Referring to his talks in India
with Louis johnson, representa-
tive OF President Roosevelt, Cripps
said there was no question of any
American intervention. but only the
can citizen"
Called Fair Solution.
u do not believe 1t possible to
find In the existing circumstances a
fairer solution of the problem than
the governments declaration" he
said.
This declaration proposed that
India be given dominion status after
the war in return for increased CO.
operation In the war effort.
Cripps said there was no dis
agreement on the fundamental and
vital points of self-determination
and self-government. but instead
differences arose on temporary gov
ernment and the method by which
self-determination was to be exer-
cised.
Favor British Commander.
= The special envoy declared there
was o practically unanimous opin-
ion among Indians that control of
the armed forces In India should
remain under q British commander
in chief, post now held by Gen.
Sir Archibald p. Wavell.
Cripps contended Britain could
not. with safety. have gone farther
than she did In offering to intrust
military defense functions to
an Indian minister.
He expressed belief that the minor
tiles. who contain some of the
finest fighting elements in India, ="
also would have opposed further
transfer of defense power from the
British.
Il feel no regrets at the decision
taken by the government" he con-
tinued. We've done all we could
in an admittedly difficult situation.
For the time being there is
nothing further we can do.
We must be patient and open
minded, willing to consider any pro-
posals upon which Indian leaders
can agree, but We must concentrate
upon our duty and do our utmost
for the defense of India"
Call. A.f