The Indian Problem

THE LAST MOVE break the Indian deadlock was the mission Sir Stafford Cripps in March, 1942. The Viceroy had expressed the hope that Dominion status of the Statute Westminster variety might be attained as soon as possible after the war, and the Cripps Mission was an attempt to clothe these general declarations with precision. The Mission unfortunately failed. Sir Stafford's conversations with the Hindu Congress leaders broke down largely because they could not agree on satisfactory interim arrangements operate until the new constitution could be framed; the Moslems were doubtful about the ability the suggestions safeguard their freedom as a community; and the depressed classes feared, as their leaders said, that the proposals would condemn them an unmitigated system Hindu rule. Since then the matter has drifted without active efforts achieve a solution. The British Government has said that the offer is still open and that, if the Indian parties would reach a settlement, the British Parliament would implement it; but the two main parties in India, the Hindu Congress under the leadership Mr. Gandhi and the Moslem League under the presidency Mr. Jinnah, have come no nearer a settlement their differences. An important attempt break the deadlock was recently made by one the most able and influential members the Moslem community, Sir Muhammed Zafrulla Khan, a judge the Federal Court and a former president the Moslem League, but not now a member the League. The occasion was important and the applause which greeted the suggestion was significant the desire the Government and people Great Britain find a satisfactory solution the Indian problem. Sir Muhammed Zafrulla Khan went London in February this year as leader the Indian delegation the third unofficial Common

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