The Wilmington morning star., 1947-02-21
BRITISH TO QUIT
INDIA IN 1913
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lNUlA LIN 1919
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whole purpose" of Attlee's state
.ment was to produce agreement
between Moslems and Hindus.
who have refused to work together
in drafting a constitution for indie
pendence.
The specific date was set. the
source added. because $50 long as
British control continues on an IL
definite basis, prospects of en-
couraging Indian parties to come
together is prejudiced."
New Delhi dispatches said OBJ
servers there believed Attlee's
statement was strongly favorable
to the Congress party, inasmuch
as Congress leaders long have in
sisted that a British withdrawal
would induce a sense of "responsi-
bility" conducive to a settlement.
Replacement of Wavell also was
regarded as placating the Con-
gress leader, Jawaharlal Nehru.
who was reported of the belief
Wavell was an obstruction to a
settlement with the Moslcm
league.
Attlee voiced the desire of the
British to turn over the reins of
government in India to. authorities
established by a constitution ap-
proved by all parties in accord
with the British Cabinet mission
plan Of last year, but added
''there is at present no clear pro-
spect that such a constitution and
such authorities will emerge"
1.-THE present state of uncertain
ty is fraught with danger and can
not definitely be prolonged" he
said. His. Majesty's government
wishes to make it clear that it is
their definite intention to take the
necessary steps to effect the
transference of power into respon-
sible Indian hands by a date not
later than June. 1948."
The Moslem league has refused
to participate in the Constituent
assembly now drafting a charter
for independence. The Hindu
dominated all-1ndia Congress has
asked the British to put Mos!em
league representatives out of the
interim cabinet unless the league
takes part in the constitution writ
ing.
Attlee declared that unless a
fully representative" assembly
works out a constitution by next
years deadline "His Majesty
government will have to consider
to whom the powers Of the central
government for British India
should be handed over on the due
date, whether as a whole to some
form of central government for
British India, or in some areas 10
the existing provincial govern
ments. or in such other way as
may seem most reasonable and IN
the best interests of the Indian
people"
Members Of the House OF Com
mons listened silently while Attlee
delivered his 1,150-word state
ment. The quiet was broken only
when Churchill demanded al ex-
PLANTATION Of the recall of Wavell,
~annointed d,1rino Churchill'S pre-
miership.
Surely" said Churchill, "the
Prime Minister did not wake up
one morning and say 'oh, let us
get another viceroy,' There must
be some reason behind this mo-
mentous event"
Attlee would say only that wa
vell's appointment was a tempo.
rary wartime assignment and that
This seemed a suitable time to
make a change. .
In the House of Lords Viscount
Cranborne leader Of the opposi-
ton. expressed profound shock"
and said the statement appears
to be a reversal of all previous
statements Of the government" IN
that sit provides no Safeguards
Tor minorities."
Clarifies Position
Attlee in his statement, which
vas. distributed also as a White
paper. made clear that the brl-
fish did not now intend to hand
over powers and obligations OF the
some 600 princely states to any
government of British India. He
said that intention was made clear
il, the Cabinet Mission plan and
added:
ut is not intended to bring
paramountcy as a system, to a
conclusion earlier than the date Of
the final transfer of power, but
il is Contemplated that for the in
tervening period the relations CT
the crown with the individual
states may be adjusted by agree
ment."
The princely states, comprising
ar area of more than 700, O0O
SQUARE miles almost hall the total
of India are ruled by potentates
subject to paramount British au-
thority. The British, under various
treaties, hold supreme power over
these states, which are not ON
sidered a part Of British lnola'