308 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
claim is to have a just peace and are determined to maintain it when obtained. Only such a war can truely be said to be a war to end war. In such a war no some person can have any hesitation to join.
India And Empire Foreign Policy
There is one other defect in the situation which the Independent Labour Party thinks is responsible for this attitude of hesitancy on the part of Indians to help Great Britain. As the position stands to-day India is tied to the chariot wheels of the British Cabinet. The British Statesmen are free to pursue any kind of foreign policy and make any kind of international commitments. They are free to declare or not to declare war as they please and they are free to make any kind of peace they like. India has no voice in their foreign policy in declaring war nor in the making of peace.
If a particular foreign policy succeeds very little of its advantage comes to India. But if the policy leads to war then Indians are called upon to help in men and money.
India has no ‘locus standi’ in the making of events that bring on war. She has no locus standi [1] in the making of terms which often instead of ending war only adjourn war. Her duty is to be present only when war is on. Such a position is, to say the least anomalous and unfair to a country like India.
Unquestionable Right
It is true that at the time of the Versailles Treaty Indian delegates were allowed to attest the terms of the Treaty. But it is no compensation to India to have the honour of attesting the peace terms when they are made. India has a greater claim to participate in the foreign policy of the British Empire and in the making of the peace terms than any dominion.
The Dominions have the right to be neutral. Consequently they are not bound to undergo the consequences of a war resulting from a particular foreign policy if they do not approve of the justness or propriety of the war. But India has no escape from any war which the British Cabinet chooses to involve themselves in. If India is to be committed to war or peace then she has an absolute right to be consulted, which sadly is not the case to-day.