The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-03-12
INDIA NOT VERY WELL SATISFIED
Disappointed at Chur- , chill Statement; Brazil,
 Burma, Zones Report
BY JOHN R. MORRIS United Press Far East Manager)

-4uV1tAl GNa s-Otld4AStS cApISoSCN OAa~ appointment today at the statement of Prime Minister Winston Church. i'll on the Indian problem, and held that the proposed mission to India of Sir Stafford Cripps, leader of the House of Commons, seemed only delaying action.
 Nationalists said Churchill seemed able to announce nothing more than further investigation of the Indian problem would be made. They argued that the problem had been investigated sufficiently and that action was needed now,
 Mohammedans of the Muslin league appeared to be ready to wait for CrippS's arrival, intending then to advance their argument for a division of India into Muslin and Hindu states.
 They expressed satisfaction be- cause Churchill had not committed himself to any definite programs regarding Indian home rule, and thus had not prejudiced their case.
 Moderate Nationalists said that 1AkONS III SV1ANlAkAS SAAPPp to India was & step in the right direction and that If Cripps per- suaded Indians of his sincerity he would get & good reception.
 At Bombay, Jawaharlal Nehlu, Nationalist leader, expressed read mess to meet Cripps.
 M. A. Jinnah, Muslin league lead- CT, said he could make no comment pending a meeting of the leaguge executive.
 The Nationalist Congress Is to meet next week to consider Its at- titude.
 The times of India, at Bombay, said that the British cabinet oe- cision on e new India program was Q great tactical move and would please both the Indu majority and the Muslin and other minorities,
 Brazil Grabs Axis Funds
 Rio De Janearo, March l2--(UP) Brazil today ordered confiscation of a substantial portion of Axis funds in Brazil banks in retaliation for Axis sinkings of Brazilian ships.
 The action was taken as Brazil appeared to be preparing for an outright declaration of war against the Axis.
 A decree by President Getullo Vargas said that the confiscation of Axis funds "is in retaliation for attacks on Brazilian property and loss of life of Brazilian citizens"
 Four Brazilian ships have been torpedoed and sunk and fifth Is reported missing;
 The decree provided that 10 Der cent of Axis deposits up to 20 con- tos (about $l ,0o0) be confiscated, 20 per cent between 20 and 100 con- tos and 30 per cent of deposits over 100 contos be confiscated and held to the account of the government in the bank of Brazil.
 The decree also obliges Axis ra" tionals to hand over to the govern ment similar percentages of the value of their properties such aS real estate, merchandise, and the like.
 A time limit of IS days is speci- fled for compliance with the provi- sions of the decree and penalties Of from one to five years imprisonment are provided for violations.
 The decree indicated that fur ther aggressions against Brazilian property-interpreted as meaning additional sinkings of Brazilian ships-will result in an increase in the percentages of holdings and property to be confiscated.
 Burma Near Decision
 London, March l2 - U.P0 - A majE and perhaps decisive land battle in Central Burma appeared imminent today as British Imperial Forces resumed their orderly with drawal to new defense lines and the Japanese invaders mustered all available manpower for a renewed assault.
 Fragmentary reports from the fighting front indicated the British were bracing about l50 miles north of abandoned Rangoon and Lon. don military commentator said the Imperials were ready for battle.
 The next Japanese offensive, Il was believed, will be directed against Toungoon and Prone, key southern Burma cities between Rangoon ant Mandalay. British sources predicted heavy enemy pressure would be ap' piled in an attempt to drive the de- lenders north of Mandalay.
 The military commentator admit ted the Imperial troops must hav' suffered 'lleavy casualties" durinl recent fierce fighting, but the troop fin the main are intact"
 American Officer Killed
 New Delhi, India, March 12 -(U P.) - A United States army officer Colonel John A. Gillies Of Amarillo Texas, was among several persons killed February 28 when an Amer. ican built Russian airplane crashed north of Basra, Traq, 1t was reported here today.
 A man identified only as Spencer said to have been Q former General Motors executive in the Unltee States, also was reported among the victims.
 Details of the crash were lacking
 Gillies, former division manager for the Santa Fe Railroad in Texas served with the Engineers Corps during the last World War. He hac been in Iraq for about a year.
 To Evacuate People
 Colombo Ceylon, March 12 - (U p - Admiral Sir Godfrey Layton commander in chief, made his first move today to evacuate non-essen- tial civilians from his island of tho southern tip of India in view of tht threat of Japanese attack.
 He ordered all persons, including wives and children of army, navy and air force men, who are not nor mally resident in Ceylon and wht are not engaged in essential wal work to leave as soon as possible.
 Further. -Ceylonese women