Impasse under the Roses

The Indians came up one of Simla's highest, loveliest, fir-green hills to the viceregal lodge. Jawaharlal Nehru rode on a brown-and-white-spotted Yarkand pony; fierce-eyed Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and goateed Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad each came in a ricksha pulled by four runners; tall, bearded Khan Abdul Ghaffar came on his own long legs; Mohamed Ali Jinnah and his Moslem League delegation in an ancient, khaki-colored Humber sedan.

Round a teakwood table, in the guarded secrecy of a Chiefs-of-Staff strategy conference, the Congress and Moslem League leaders talked with the three-man British Cabinet delegation, trying to work out a compromise for the future government of India. The Viceroy's Executive Council (including its four British members) offered to resign to clear the way for an interim government. Hindu Nehru got the green light to become the next Congress Party president, replacing Moslem Azad, whom Jinnah bitterly regards as a traitor to Islam.

Jinnah and Nehru walked together for five minutes through a bower of rambler roses and foxglove. Hopes rose. When a photographer suggested that they shake hands, neither made a move. Hopes fell. Over the negotiations brooded the spirit of Mohandas Gandhi, installed in a nearby lodge. "To succumb to pessimism," he said, "is like dying before one's appointed death."

Early this week the blow fell. The British delegation announced that the Indians could not come to any agreement. Despite concessions from both sides, "unbridgeable" differences remained. The breakdown in negotiations did not mean that India would not be freed. All along, the realistic Britishers had assumed that they might have to impose a government in spite of Indian differences.

As the news spread through the town, Moslem Leaguers and Congress followers marched through Simla's cool streets, shouting "Long live Pakistan!" and "Long live Hindustan!" Their cries roused sleeping monkeys in Simla's trees; they chattered long and mournfully into the night.

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