RELEASE OF GANDHI

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 22, 27 January 1931, Page 9

RELEASE OF GANDHI

VICEEOY'S MESSAGE

COMMENT IN BRITAIN

British Official Wireless. (Received 27th January, 11 a.m.) RUGBY, 26th January. The Government of India's official communique, announcing the unconditional release of Mr. Ghandi and other Congress leaders, was issued last night. The Viceroy's message stated that in order to provide an opportunity for the consideration of the statement made by the Prime Minister on 19th • January the Government, in consultation with local Governments, had thought it right that members of the Working Comnlittee, of the All-India Congress should enjoy full liberty of discussion between themselves and with those who have acted as members of the Committee since Ist January, 1930, "In accordance with this decision and with this object, and in order that there may.be no legal bar to any meeting they may wish to hold, the notifications declaring the Committee to be an unlawful association under the Criminal Law Amendment Act will be withdrawn by all local Governments. " ' "This action has been taken with a sincere desire to assist in the creation of such peaceable conditions as would enable the Government to implement the undertaking given by the Prime Minister, that, if civil quiet were proclaimed and assured, the Government would not be backward in its response." The Viceroy adds: "I am content to trust those who will be affected by our decision to act in the same spirit as inspires it, and I am confi- • dent that they will recognise the importance of securing for these grave issues calm and dispassionate examination." V Reference will probably be made to Mr. Gandhi's release in the House of Commons this evening, when the work of the Bound Table Conference will be reviewed. The Opposition have not put down any resolution on the subject, and it will i>e raised on a motion for the adjournment of the House. NEWSPAPEB OPINION. Few newspapers have so far commented upon the releases. The "Daily Mail" condemns the Viceroy's action, for which it says there is not a shadow of justification in view of the extremely grave conditions in India, and i the "Morning Post" doubts the wisdom of the experiment. The "Daily Telegraph" says that, while there is no assurance whatever that ovents will take the course hoped for by the Viceroy, some reliance has no doubt been placed on a favourable reception of the outcome of the Conference by . Indian parties and interests ' apart' from - Congress, also on tho desiro of a section of the Congress for tho abandonment of non-co-operation and 'on the fact that 'the demands of Congress, as they stood 18 months ago, aro very largely met by what has now been tentatively proposed. The measure now announced, it says, is in the dubious category of those which can be justified only by success. : The "Manchester Guardian" believes that the "freeing of Gandhi will encourage the moderate elements in Congress. It is a gesture of goodwill and a break with an unhappy past. It [;uggests that as the result of the Conference a new situation has arisen. Up to now, following the wise advieo of Sir Tej Sapru, Mr. Sastri, and some others, Congress has not committed itself in regard to Mr. Mac Donald 'b statement. The present thoughtful silence is at least hopeful." ' Tho "Daily News" says that, "as all intelligent well-wishers of India, we will earnestly h_ope that those released will seize the opportunity offered them. There can be no doubt that a general amnesty will follow. The bold step already taken is a guarantee of that."