Hindu and Moslem
If anyone ever doubted that the real problem in India is the problem of agreement between Indians themselves, not between India and the British Government, the course of the present conversations at Simla should dispel the doubt finally. It is too soon to write pessimistically about the prospects, particularly as the early stages of the negotiations have gone well, but it is clear that the crisis has been reached with the reported refusal of the Moslem League to submit a panel of names for seats on the Viceroy's Council because no assurance is given that no Moslem will be appointed except on the nomination of the League itself. The two other quarters in which Moslems might be nominated arc the Punjab Union (i.e., Moslem, Hindu and Sikh) Government, and—more important—the Indian National Congress, which, though overwhelmingly Hindu in membership, does include a small number of Moslems, among them its present President, Maulana Azad. The Viceroy, of course, in finally selecting his Council from among the names submitted, can confine his choice of Moslems to Moslem League nominees or not as he chooses, but to give any assurance on that point would in the one case alienate Congress and in the other the Moslem League. The agreed settlement, therefore, of which there seemed at one time good hopes, seems at the moment unattainable. That, however, does not necessarily mean breakdown. The Moslem League may realise in time how completely it is playing into the hands of Congress by
its refusal. And the Viceroy may still succeed in nominating on his own account a Council that will command general support. Mr. Gandhi appears to be working for a settlement, but Mr. jinnah at present blocks the road.
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