Battersea Storm

COMMONWEALTH (British Commonwealth of Nations)

Two members of the British delegation to the Interparliamentary Union, meeting at Washington on Oct. 1 (see CABINET), recently resigned because Shapurji Saklatvala, M.P. from Battersea, was a member of the same delegation. That they had acted too quickly became evident last week: Secretary of State Kellogg debarred Saklatvala from the U. S.

Not a few of Saklatvala's colleagues in Parliament were rather pleased to be relieved of the company of a man whose Communistic tendencies, coupled with violent anti-imperialistic feeling, they disliked. Sir Robert Home, head of the British delegation, remarked:

"Personally, though not having any right to make any pronouncement on such a subject, I think that America's decision is not only within its rights, but the action is also in accordance with its duty.

"I am glad the United States has shown the world how she treats people of that kind, whom we too often complaisantly ignore. I trust this will act as an object lesson to our people."

Others felt the American action discourteous or unwise. The most unexpected outcome of Secretary Kellogg's action, however, was the circulation of a petition in Battersea,, Mr. Saklatvala's constituency, which according to report, attracted crowds of signers. It demanded that Saklatvala apologize for his utterances, especially what he said about British policy in India, or resign.