Page:The Independent Hindustan Volume I Number 4.djvu/8

 can befog the real meaning with ambiguity.

India's position is thus clear. As India occupies a very important position in the Empire — politically, economically, and strategically its secession will have a great bearing upon the reorganization of the empire.

A great many statesmen see the day when the English will have to remain contented with the little island they now occupy. In order to avert that stage, they have been hatching various plans.

They recognise that India cannot indefinitely be kept within the empire under the Crown. Under the circumstances if India is forced to remain within the empire, what position would she occupy?

If Canada, Australia, or Union of South Africa desire to have equal voice in shaping the imperial policy, India cannot be denied that privilege. Otherwise it would mean the increase of masters for India. Instead of England's rule, it will be the rule of the Combination of Colonies. I do not believe India's intelligence has been so much prostituted or spirit so much degenerated that Indian people will allow such condition to happen. That the Indian statesmen are quite alive to the situation will be evident from the presidential address, which Mr. M. A. Jinnah delivered before the All-India Moslem League in 1916. He said in part thus: "In the political reconstruction, India, the largest part of the Empire, cannot possibly be allowed to continue a dependency, as adjunct to England or to be ruled and governed by the Dominions. Hitherto the responsibility, the control and the supervision of India has been vested in Great Britain. The question naturally arises, what will be the position of India if an Imperial Parliament with full representation of the Dominions is constituted? Is India to have new and additional masters? Is India to be ruled jointly by England and the Dominions? Are we to be handed over to this Imperial Parliament and to be thus ruled and governed by the Colonies? Are we not to have a status on "locus stendi [sic]" in this Imperial Parliament? I feel sure that I am expressing the opinion of the entire educated people of this country that India will never allow herself to be relegated to such an intolerable position.

"Indeed, she does not want a change of masters, no additional masters. If an Imperial Parliament is established, India's right should be recognised and her voice in that Imperial Parliament must be fully and properly secured and represented by her own sons in the Council of the Empire." Mr. Jinnah voiced the sentiments of the people four years ago. Since then a great change has come over the people.

It is unmistakably indicated that each one of the parts of the empire is desirous of shaping the imperial policy, if empire has to be kept intact. The only way the voice of the people can be expressed is through some sort of Imperial Parliament superior to the present British Parliament.

Imperial Parliament presupposes Federation. The idea of Federation can be consummated by free cooperation of the parts of the Empire.

Any scheme which is made by the imperial Architects must have these elements — freedom of the States endowed with original ruling power, recognition of equality and proportional representation.

The States will retain all the powers excepting what is surrendered to the Imperial Federation. Before this idea is realized, India has to be raised from mere dependency ruled and dominated by bureaucracy to self-governing responsible dominion.

India's men and money power is greater than any other part of the empire. With her enormous natural resources, and possibilities of commercial and industrial development, India is a self-sustaining country. Three-fourths of the entire trade of India is conducted with England and one-seventh of the entire British trade is carried on with India.

In the light of these situations, the moment India is free to shape her own policy, she will look for her own interest. At least, she will demand to possess the three things — Finance, foreign relations, and military.

Economic power is the source of political life. If India is given Home-rule, she at once will exert her energies in revival and growth of industries, development of mines, natural resources and promotion of commerce. In order to carry on this program, India will devise the ways and means which may be a death blow to English commerce and industry, and investment of English capital. India will never be benefited by imperial preference.

Regulation of commerce and industry can only he possible when there are foreign relations. The countries without having any foreign intercourse have become stagnant pools in the world-politics. Without having the power of free choice of making relations with foreign States, India's position will not be improved. The right of establishing foreign relationship itself presupposes Sovereignty. To endow with sovereign rights a Home-rule country is preposterous.

Defence of the Empire will demand from India a larger share. India is already overburdened with military expenditure. She will have to bear much more to protect the interests of the Empire. If she is free her military expenses will be nominal only, as she has no designs for foreign aggression.

In so far, the English character and mentality can be analysed, England will never willingly allow India to possess the original ruling power, having finance, foreign relations, and military in her control. Home-rule proposition, therefore, is beset with immense difficulties and produces problems which cause confusion and conflicts.

As England is not inclined to surrender, nor