GANDHI'S ULTIMATUM

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 57, 8 March 1930, Page 9

GANDHI'S ULTIMATUM

LETTEE TO VICEEOY.

GRIEVANCES ENUMERATED

United Press Association—By Electric Tel««t

eraph—Copyrieht. ' (Received 3th March, 9 a.m.)! ( DELHI, 7th March.

Gandhi's ultimatum, to the Viceroy of India says: "British rule is a curse because it has impoverished dumb millions by a system of progressive exploitation and a ruinous civil and military administration."

Gandhi acknowledges that the English are no worse than ' other people and that British statesmen have no intention of adopting a polI icy which might adversely affect Britain's commerce with India, but by heavy taxation the British system was crushing the life out of the agriculturist, the salt tax falling the heaviestl He refers to the administration as the costliest in the world, and says that the Viceroy's salary is £52 10s a day, against India's average income of less than 2d daily. "I know you do not need, this salary; probably the whole goes for charity, but the system deserves to be scrapped, as it is characteristic of the whole administration. Nothing but unadulterated non-violence can check the organised violence of the British Government. I know that in embarking on the campaign I am taking a mad risk, but victories have never been won without risks. If we want to sever the British connection, it is because of such evils, but if they are removed, the path is opened to friendly negotiation." Gandhi enumerates his demands, and says: "It is open for you to frustrate my design by arresting me, but I hope that; tens of thousands, are ready to take up the work after me. This letter is not intended as a threat, but as a sacred duty.",