Letters to the Editor
GREAT BRITAIN AND INDIA
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] SIR,--WC feel that the situation with regard to India calls fbr the most earnest consideration by all those who are concerned for a peaceful solution of the present difficulties. We look with profound dismay to the possibility that, should the forthcoming Round Table Conference fail to propound a Constitution which will command the support of the best elements of Indian nationalism, we may be involved in measures which will mean the cessation of peaceful govern- ment. Neither Britain nor India has anything to gain from the use of force, and no effort should be spared to secure a basis of agreement along peaceful lines.
We call special attention to the statement issued by the Indian party leaders in the Legislature at Simla immediately after the Viceroy's speech of July 9th. After urging Indian participation in the Round Table Conference, and the duty of all parties to create an atmosphere of peace and concord, the statement goes on :
" A policy of strong measures and repression on tho one hand and the pursuit of direct action and open infringements of tho law an the other, can only serve to increase the tension whieh is already so acute. Neither policy will be an end in itself and they can only be regarded as a manifestation of strength which may well be directed towards creative and nation-building efforts."
The statement then makes a simultaneous appeal to the Government to repeal emergency measures and offer an amnesty, and to the Congress leaders to terminate the pro- gramme of civil disobedience.
We believe this statement reveals a disposition to welcome conciliatory advances from this side and would, therefore urge the Government : (1) to emphasise that the representa- tives of both countries shall meet at the Round Table Confer- ence on a basis of equality and with a view to arriving at proposals for the attainment of Dominion status, subject only to transitional safeguards ; (2) to spare no effort to secure the attendance and co-operation of Indian leaders, both men and women, and with this end in view, to grant an amnesty to all political prisoners not guilty of violence.
Finally, we would plead for a great interest among our own countrymen in the problem which is facing India and the British Empire.. A fuller understanding by the people them- selves of the strength of that national consciousness which has emerged in India is urgently desirable if we arc to reach a solution approved by and honourable to all.—We are, Sir, &c., ABERDEEN AND TEMAIR, ALICE ACLAND, ANNA BARLOW, . MAURICE BROWNE, CHARLES ROUEN BUXTON, M.P., KATE D. COURTNEY, F. LEWIS DONALDSON, ROBERT F. HORTON, LAURENCE HOUSMAN, L. P. JACKS, HEWLETT JOHNSON, J. M. KENWORTHY, M.P., HAROLD J. MORLAND, MARY MURRAY, HENRY W. NEVINSON, F. W. NORWOOD, MARIAN PARMOOR, ALEXANDRINA PECKOVER, BERTRAND RUSSELL, FRANCES STEWART, BEN TURNER, CECIL H. WILSON, M.P.
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