The question is how far those two achievements can be
synchronised. No Hindu is ready to accept pro- vincial responsibility now, with central' responsibility indefinitely postponed, which-is what Mr. Churchill and his supporters desire. On the other hand central responsibility here and now is clearly impossible in view of the attitude of the Moslems. In those circumstances the Government must lay down a policy of its own. When the Prime Minister made his offer to arbitrate on the communal issue, if there was a unanimous desire that he should, he left it perfectly clear that if the Govern- ment did not act in that way it would in another. He has since then, by a series of interviews with the chief Indian members of the conference, been equip- ping himself to outline a communal settlement which all parties can consider at leisure on their return to India, unless indeed they are ready at the eleventh hour to accept it here. Such a plan would, of course, have Cabinet authority behind it and the Prime Minister is perfectly justified in refusing to postpone his statement to the conference till the approval of Parliament has been obtained. It is for the Cabinet to take its line and defend it in the House afterwards. From Lord Irwin's reassertion in 1929 of Dominion Status as the goal for India there can be no retreat. Mr. Baldwin fortunately .hose between Lord Irwin and Mr. Churchill long ago- *
