MR GANDHI'S FAST

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23880, 24 February 1943, Page 3

MR GANDHI'S FAST

IN AUSTRALIA

Reports On Twelfth Day

POSSIBLE REACTIONS DISCUSSED

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 8.30 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 22. A more detailed report of the information given on Mr Gandhi’s condition on Monday, says that after a restless day on Sunday. Mr Gandhi’s health entered a crisis at 4 p.m., when he was seized with severe nausea, and almost fainted. His puise became nearly imperceptible, but he was able, later, to take water, with sweet lime juice. He rallied from the crisis and slept for about five and a half hours. Six doctors signed a report giving this information.

Monday was Mr Gandhi’s day of silence, He appeared to be comfortable and was more cheerful, but his heart was weaker, added the report. The grave condition to wdiich Mr Gandhi has brought himself after 12 days’ fasting is not considered by the Government of India as necessitating a change in its attitude. The Government stated when the fast began that it deplored the use of the weapon of fasting to achieve political ends, and saw no justification for it. The Government had no intention of allowing the fast to deflect its policy, nor would it be responsible for the consequences to Mr Gandhi’s health. The Delhi Government points out that no new factor has emerged and that the responsibility in connexion with the fast rests solely on Mr Gandhi, on whom the decision to bring it to an end must also rest. All the Indian morning newspapers on Monday unanimous : y appealed for Mr Gandhi’s release, but the Indian Government simultaneously published an 85-page booklet, which, it says, gives part of the evidence in the Government’s possession of Mr Gandhi’s responsibility for the disturbances in the last six months. Mr Gandhi Quoted The booklet quotes a passage written by Mr Gandhi on June 7, 1942: “I waited and waited, until the country should develop the non-violent strength necessary to overthrow the foreign yoke, but my attitude now has undergone a change. I .feel I cannot afford to wait. I am sure the anarchy that may result, because of the British withdrawal or their refusal to listen to us, and our decision to defy their authority, will in no way be worse than the present anarchy.’’ Sir Richard Tottenham, additional secretary to the Home Department, in a preface to the book, says that the review does not purport to disclose all the information in the Governments possession. There were large volumes Of evidence, which it was undesirable to publish at present. The booklet gives instances of attacks against Government buildings, led by locai Congress Party members. The Delhi correspondent of fne Times” says that Sir Tej Bahadun Sapru told political leaders that ‘ some of them” would be seeing Mr Gandhi within the next three or four days, pleading with him to break his fast. y In a leading article. “The Times says; “While leaving the intended effects ambiguous, Mr Gandhi has informed the Viceroy that he would fast ‘to capacity.’ The limit of his capacity has been reached and may be surpassed. All appeals for his unconditional release have so far been ignored. The Government’s responsibility, when an enemy is on the frontier, is also a dilemma because of the threat of civil disobedience, involving strike action against the military security of India and the United Nations.” _ The “Manchester Guardian,” m a leading article, says: “What the Indian Government and our own Government have to consider is not merely the barren question of who was responsible for the disorders last autumn, but what sort of India will face us if Mr Gandm dies. Let the Government of India set the past behind it and resolve that the future shall not be- lost,by either action or inaction. If Mr,-Gandhi.dies, the consequences may be .irreparable. Should he be released attd live, the difficulties will be no greater,, and they can be fought with the faith to overcome them.”

Indian Deputation A deputation of 19 Indians, representative of all faiths and political opinions, has asked the Indian High Commissioner in London to acquaint the Government of their grave concern about the condition of Mr Gandhi, and to request his immediate release. The deputation was the result of a meeting of the Indian community, when the release of Mr Gandhi was urged. A bomb exploded on Monday night on the New Delhi railway station. One passenger was killed and another was Ul "lt r is improbable that the Government of India will relax its attitude towards Mr Gandhi’s demand for unconditional release,” says the Daily Express.” “The view taken is that he fasted voluntarily, refusing the Government’s offer of freedom while fasting to enable him to fast in some place of his own choice. The Viceroy’s Ministers feel that it would be unfair to the mass of loyal Indians and to the British forces and the police. To surrender to Mr Gandhi would also anger the Moslems and other influential bodies and wmild create an even more difficult political situation. Whitehall confirms the view of the Government of India.” A special correspondent of the New Zealand Press Association says that it is emphasised in London that all decisions in the present position are taken by the Government of India and not by the India Office. Only as an extreme measure would London be asked *°Th(Pimportance of Mr Gandhi’s attitude lies not only in the question whether the Congress Party is guilty of instigating violence, but in the serious which the situation may have, affecting the entire Allied Far East time-table. Indian riots have already caused the deferment of the proposed Burma campaign, for the position in India last winter was largely responsible for the diverting of two divisions from Burma at a critical stage.

NEW POLITICAL PARTY

EX-SERVICEMEN’S GROUP

(Rec. 11.45 p.m.) MELBOURNE, Feb. 23. A new Commonwealth political party, the United Ex-Servicemen’s and Women’s Political Association of Australia, will contest seats at the next Federal elections. Two of its principal planks are a national non : party war government, and the welding of the A.I.F. and the militia into one army for service anywhere. “In the formation of this new party are the symptoms of dissatisfaction which the Federal Parliament will be well advised to heed.” comments the “Melbourne Herald” in a leading article. “Such movements as this are unquestioned in their sincerity and occur when the community begins to feel that those who represent it have already lost touch with its essential sentiment.”

Branches of the new party, which has no connexion with the Returned Soldiers’ League, will bo formed in all states. The “Melbourne Herald” urges that the new party must not restrict its supporters to former servicemen and women, but must be wide enough to include all citizens of goodwill. THe party chairman is Mr W. H. Anderson, a Melbourne accountant.