INDIAN MODERATES

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 85, 4 January 1930, Page 9

INDIAN MODERATES

OPPOSED TO GANDHI’S POLICY COMMENTS OF ENGLISH PRESS LABOUR PAPER’S WARNING (British Official Wireless.) Rugby, January 2. The proceedings of the Indian Congress concluded yesterday, and “Ths Times,” In a leading article, says: “The formal outcome of the hubbub at Lahore is three main propositions, carried ont without confusion, by tho persuasive eloquence of Mr. GhandhL In the first place the members of tha Congress Party reject the offer of participation in the London conference, and pronounce their goal to be the complete independence of India. In the second place they are called upon to boycott the existing Central and Provincial Legislatures, to take no part in future elections, and to resign such seats as they may hold at present In the third place they authorise their committee whenever it deems fit to launch a programme of civil disobedience, including a general refusal to pay taxes. Whether this platform is likely to strengthen them even as an Indian political party must be regarded as very questionable.

“Meanwhile, one of the first results has been the emergence in force of Liberals meeting in a simultaneous congress at Madras, who have lost no time in welcoming the London Conference, have recognised publicly the rights of the States in Greater United India, and have roundly deplored the turmoil in which the cry of independence must involve their country. And the conference of allegiance is certain to be more rapid as the enthusiasms of Lahore grow cooler and its quarrels and personal difficulties more apparent. It is sufficient for the moment to note that the actual terms of the Srinivasa Sastri resolution at Madras, ‘Constitution based on Dominion status, subject to such safeguards and reservations as may be necessary for the period of transition,’ are not after all incongruous in principle with the declared purposes of British statesmanship. What really matters most is that for the first time there seems some prospect of an organised force emerging in Indian politics with a sense of realities and a determination to face them.” Appeal to Moderates. - The “Manchester Guardian” also expresses the view that “the Lahore Congress having decided to base its policy on emotions and ideals, and to ignore facts, Indian Moderates have a chance of regaining control of India’s course. At Madras they were urged to take it by Mr. Sastri, whom India respects more than any other statesman, hardly excepting Mr. Gandhi himself.” The “Guardian” urges the Moderates, who have many distinguished leaders, to organise early with a policy likely to yield practical results by securing the co-operation of the British Government.

The Labour newspaper, the “Daily Herald,” says that Mr. Gandhi and his colleagues have made a singularly foolish blunder in committing the Lahore Congress to the futile policy of mere negation. “The policy of the British Government and of the Government of India, in the face of the Congress resolution, is clear. Nothing which has passed at Lahore calls for even the slightest change. The goal has been declared. The new spirit which Mr. Benn and Lord Irwin have brought into Anglo-Indian relations, and into the methods of Indian Government, remains The invitation to Indian leaders stands. There will be no deflection either to the right or to the left. If, indeed, there are, on the part of the more irresponsible elements, outbreaks of violence or of defiance of law, they will be dealt with firmly. But firmness in maintaining order will be accompanied by equal firmness in adhering to the policy of friendship, consiliation, and of steady perseverance on the path to self-government” The “Herald” urges Mr. Gandhi to reflect before the decision to refuse to take part in achieving a new constitution for India becomes irrevocable. / INDEPENDENCE DAY JANUARY 26 DECIDED ON (United Press Association. —Bv Electric Telegraph.—Copyright?) Delhi, January 2. Despite the order of the Congress Committee at to-day’s meeting calling for the withdrawal of members from the Assembly and the Council, it is uncertain whether the mandate will be generally obeyed. January 26 has been fixed as Independence Day, for the holding of nationwide demonstrations supporting the new Congress policy.