The minorities question throws its shadow upon every discussion at
the Conference. In spite of strong dis- approval in India, Hindu and Moslem representatives are making a gallant effort to establish the principle of joint electorates. It is said that the Hindus are prepared to accept all the safeguards proposed in Mr. Jinnah's famous Fourteen Points, if only the principle can be secured. Where there is a third racial element—such as the Europeans in Bengal and the Sikhs in the Punjab —the problem is still more complicated, and it is on the " weightagc " arrangement in these Provinces that the negotiations may fail. In the matter of Provincial autonomy and the fundamental question of the form of the Federation the goodwill of the Indian delegates has no doubt surprised some of their British colleagues. Dyarchy is to go, and the essential transfer of law and order to the Provincial Governments (probably bi- cameral) proposed by the Simon Commission is confirmed. There seems to be no difficulty about the necessary safeguards being placed in the hands of a Governor in the background. An Englishman in this position, preferably not a Civil Servant, would apparently be welcome.
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