Evening star., 1947-03-24
|Mountbatfen Sworn In
AS Last viceroy, Asks
Indian Cooperation
By the Associated Press

miral Viscount Mountbatten was
sworn in as India's last viceroy
today and promptly broke prece-
dent by making a speech from
the viceregal throne in which
he appealed for cooperation in
finding solution to India's
problems within the next few
months"
The oath of Office was adminis-
tered by Sir William Patrick Spens,
chief justice of India, after read
ing of the commission from King
George VI.
Lord Mountbatten took the oath
in the presence of princes in gay
turbans, more soberly clad members
of the cabinet and about 400 guests
gathered in Durbar reception hall.
The new viceroy wore the white
uniform of British admiral. He
had 4-inch-wide blue ribbon
across his chest and stars of the
Order of the Bath, Order of the
Indian Empire and the Order of the
Garter. He wore also many serv-
ice ribbons.
Transfer Due Next Year.
Commenting that it was not usual
for speech to be made at swear
ing-in ceremony, Lord Mountbatten
said:
This is not a normal vice roy-
atty on which I am embarking.
His majesty's government is re-
solved to transfer the power by
June, 1948, and since new consti-
tutional arrangements must be made
and many complicated questions
OF administration resolved-an of
which will take time to put into
effect-this means a solution must
be reached within the next few
months.
Il believe that every political
leader in India feels as I do the
urgency of the task before us. I
hope soon to be in close consulta-
ton with them, and I will give them
all the help I can.
meanwhile, every one must do
what he can to avoid any word OF
action which might lead to further
bitterness or add to the toll of inni-
cent victims.
Il know how very many there are
who are determined to work to that
end, and I shall do everything I
can to support them. am
under no illusion about the difficulty
of my task. shall need the greatest
goodwill possible and I am asking
India today for that goodwill"
Curfew Imposed Again.
Meanwhile renewed outbreaks be-
tween Old Delhi's religious COM
munities resulted today in the i'm
position of a week-long 6 pm. to Z
am. curfew, pre-publication censor
ship of news about communal dis
turbances in Delhi Province, and
renewed patroling by the police and
military.
Five persons were officially re-
ported injured in stray stabbings
and stone throwings following yes
terday's Sikh-Moslin clashes on
Pakistan day, in which two persons
were killed and a number injured.
Deputy Commissioner M. S. Rand
haWa said he led the searches of
number of places for weapons and
at one spot seized a bundle of about
20 spears and arrested Is persons,
including Moslem League national
guardsmen.
The fighting, which broke out
despite an appeal by M. A. Jinnah,
president of the Moslem League, for
peaceful observance of Pakistan
day, conceded with the opening of
an inter-Asian conference in which
more than 20 countries are repre-
Sented.
The meeting, called to develop
cultural and social solidarity among
Asiatic nations, has been boycotted
by the Moslem League on grounds
that it is sponsored by the predomi-
nantly Hindu Congress Party.
Nehru Opens Conference.
The conference was opened by
Jawaharl Nehru, Congress Party
leader and vice president of India's
interim government, who told the
$50 delegates that there can be no
peace unless Asia plays her part"
Mr.. Nehru denied that the confer
ence was aggressive -. or against
any other continent or country.
Delegates to the parley came from
replblics of the Soviet Union China