Evening star., 1947-08-16
The Political Mil
Freedom for India Called
Act of Political Wisdom
Britain Now Should Try to Solve
Palestine Problem, Says Writer
By Gould Lincoln

Americans view with satisfaction England's
REIMBURSEMENT of her empire over India and
the establishment of two new entities in the
British Commonwealth of Nations. In
measure, the United States set the pattern
and gave impetus to freedom for Asiatics who
have been under white rule when it granted
full independence to the Philippine Islands
territory acquired by this country from Spain
at the conclusion of the Spanish-American War
which ended nearly fifty years ago.
In Washington the new tricolored flag of
India was unfurled at the Indian Embassy
yesterday-the day of Indian independence
with simple but impressive ceremony, before
representatives of the American Government
and OF the governments of the other nations.
The Ambassador of India, NJ Asaf ALI in a
brief address, delivered in the English language,
spoke of the struggle which the Indians
have waged for independence-an independ-
ence of which they were deprived first by
Ensland's traders, and finally in 1887 after
the last battle for freedom, by the British
government which then took over fuli suzerainty
OF the vast subcontinent.
. THE battle cry of India's revolutionaries,"
said the Ambassador, was Abraham Lincolns
everlasting and inspiring dictum Government
of the people, by the people and for the
people"
Act of Political Wisdom.
To the winning of the battle for freedom,
the Indian masses adopted new and power
full weapon, under the leadership of Mahatma
Gandhi, peaceful and nonviolent nonco-opera-
ton" The Ambassador paid tribute to the
British, however, declaring that this day
should 60 down in the annals of Great Britain
as perhaps the greatest marking as it does
nf inroif IN
race, as turning point in the free relation
ship between free human beings The United
States undoubtedly led the way by voluntarily
withdrawing its rule from the Philippines last
year. and recognizing the sovereignty of the
people of the Philippine Republic.
I'm view of Great Britain's history as an
imperialist power, three -fourths of whose en-
pire consisted of India alone, the credit for
allowing one~fifth of the human race-and
without the arbitrament of the sword-to re-
sumo the birthright of freedom must be rec
ognized as great act of far-reaching political
wisdom"
British rule of one kind or another, over
India lasted for two hundred years. Kiplng-
and others-dubbed 1t ''the white mans bur-
den." Burden or no. it enriched the British
people and the British state enormously 1t
was the kind of burden that never would have
been renqushed had not the revolutionists
seeking freedom kept constantly beating at
the doors.
America, first of the great colonies of Britain
to win freedom. set the pace for the rest more
than $50 years ago. 1t has never been great
colonial empire-but it has demonstrated its
willingness to help other peoples. 1t could
have annexed Cuba beyond doubt-but it did
everything possible to see that Cuba, freed from
Spain, remained an independent nation. It did
take over Puerto Rico and also the Hawaiian
Islands-and bills have been introduced to
make them States of the United States, with all
the rights and powers of the citizens of other
States. The House has already put through
bill for statehood for Hawaii-and it is ex-
pected the Senate will take favorable action
on the measure at the coming session.
Ultimate Self-Rule Is Aim.
1t is not in the American concept to keep
any people subservent, or even dependent,
any longer than may be necessary to fit them
for self-government Even the islands of the
Pacific which this country will retain, as
measure of national security following the
Second World War will be held under trustee
ship,-whch looks to ultimate self-rule for
the inhabitants.
Britain has apparently muddled through
successfully in India-where their relinquish-
ment OF full sovereignty was made more difhcult
because OF strife between the 227,00o000 Hindu
people and the 10000 900 Moslems. And now
we have Hindu India and Moslem Pakistan.
Another problem that still awaits solution is
that Of Palestine over which Britain has a
mandate from the First World War. 1t is
bitter sore and one that needs an early remedy.
Involved in it is the struggle between the Jew
ish and the Arab populations of Palestine, and
also the problem of the Jews of Europe. who
have been battering at the door for permission
to enter the Holy Land
This presents q problem that will be, or
should be, high on the agenda of the coming
session of the General Assembly of the United
Nations. 1t is problem that, between them,
the British and Americans should do much to
solve. This country, which has protested
against the treatment of the Jews again and
again, should be willing to bear part Of the
responsibility.