Evening star., 1942-07-28
Plain Words for India

Plain Words for Indiu
The tautening crisis between the
Indian Congress party and the Brit
ish government is emphasized by the
radio address just delivered by
Sir Stafford Cripps. This distin-
guished member Of the Churchill
cabinet spoke primarily to the Amer
ican public, from whom he asked
sympathy with Britain and UNDER
standing OF her position in the
thorny Indian problem But his
words were directed also to the Con-
gress leaders. and it Is certain that
they paid close attention to what
he said
No better spokesman could have
been chosen to set forth Britain's
intentions. Sir Stafford Cripps is
not only ready but eager to scrap
traditional imperialism and give
India the greatest measure Of free
dom that can be accomplished. Last
spring he went to India with an offer
OF full self-government and even in
dependence after the war. This offer
was rejected by the Congress party,
which demanded the immediate for
nation Of a Congress dominated
government for India, with control
over the Indian native army and
with no safeguards for dissenting
ninorities. When those sweeping
demands were rejected, the Congress
party, under the leadership of Ma
hatma Gandhi, formulated a pro-
gram of opposition which tended to
sabotage India's war effort and even
lead to grave disorders. All this in
the face Of mounting japanese
menace that threatens India with
armed invasion from nearby Burma,
Sir Stafford made it very clear
that, whether these Congress ma
neuvers are to be taken literally or
are a sort of political blackmail, the
British authorities would not Weld
an inch and would "fearlessly" take
Whatever steps are necessary" to
cope with the emergency Despite
his long friendship with the Congress
leaders, Sir Stafford roundly criti-
cized their tactics. Asserting that
Gandhi, "unprepared to wait (for
freedom after the war; would rather
jeopardize the freedom and the
whole cause of the United Nations"
he concluded that I'VE cannot allow
the actions OF visionary. however
distinguished In the fight for free
dom In the past, to thwart the United
Nations drive for victory In the
East"
Despite Gandhi's intransigeance,
there is a distinct possibility that the
situation in India may improve. The
British government has not been idle
during the months which have fol-
lowed the failure of Cripps' mission.
While ignoring the obstreperous
Congress leaders, Britain has called
distinguished Indians of more mod
crate parties to help run the country.
Moslems, on-Congress Hindus, and
the pariah leader, DR.. Ambedkar, are
loyalty supporting the British au-
thorities in their efforts to defend
India against Japanese invasion.
Public opinion is increasingly stirred
by German victories In Russia. with
the potential menace of an Axis
squeeze play on India from both
east and west. All this may be hav-
ing its effect upon the Congress lead
ers. Gandhi has just come out with
one OF his pontifical utterances
warning the japanese to keep out of
India. BY itself, such an exhortation
is about as effective as a tap on a
tigers paw. Yet this and other re-
cent utterances from Congress cir
cles may mean that Gandhi's pro-
gram will, in practice, be one of
words rather than OF deeds.
This, at any rate, is the hope.
Meanwhile, the overwhelming ma
1ority OF American public opinion
will be disposed to back Britain In
measures needed to prevent India
from falling an easy prey to invasion.