NO SURPRISE

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 3, 5 January 1932, Page 7

NO SURPRISE

PEELING- IN BRITAIN

ARREST APPLAUDED

(Received sth January, 11 a.m.) LONDON, 4th January. The arrest of Mr. Gandhi created no surprise in London, where it has been regarded as inevitable. It is understood that Lord 'Willingdon is acting with the British Government's full knowledge and consent. It is. not expected in official quarters that the arrest will have nearly such important reactions as previously because the Government has profited by last year's experiences. Mr. Gandhi's power has waned since the Round Table Conference. The newspapers generally applaud the arrest. Even the f'News-Chronicle," which hitherto has opposed repressive measures, declares that in view of Mr. Gandhi's action the Government has no other course. The Viceroy is merely doing his duty, showing that the Government cannot parley with terrorism. The "Evening News" says the arrest is proof that there is to be no more nonsense. Mr. Gandhi will not really be missed. He is just a nuisance and by timely incarceration will be prevented from being a greater guidance. His arrest is a mere side issue compared with the task of stamping out terrorism in Bengal and elsewhere. The Congress should immediately be declared illegal and be suppressed. ACT OF LOGIC AND JUSTICE. The "Morning Post" congratulates the Government of India on an act of logic, justice, and expediency. It was time, it says, to deal with the real "fount of illegality and not only with the dupes. The Montagu pledge was conditional upon co-operation and good behaviour. The Government was therefore free. "If the Bombay millowners persist in boycotting British trade, the appropriate counter-measure is to remove Indian duties against British goods." The "Daily Mail" considers that India's need is for a firm hand. Truckling to Gandhi inevitably encouraged in his vainglorious mind the idea that Britain was afraid of him. The "News Chronicle" says that in view of Gandhi's attitude scarcely any other course was open. The Government could not parley with terrorism, but "mere repression can never be a hopeful policy. It is essential that there should also be clear evidence that the Government intends to pursue its policy of constitutional reform." AUSTRALIAN'S LETTER. The "Daily Mail" prints a letter signed "An Australian Imperialist" declaring that "intelligent, patriotic Australians possessing a knowledge of India are astounded at the proposal to bestow Dominion status, which is a questionable boon, and is tantamount to handing the country over to Indian politicians. "Apparently the Governments of Australia and New Zealand, whose security would be gravely imperilled if British sovereignty in India were destroyed, or even weakened, have not been -consulted since the ignominous negotiations with the Indian rebels have begun." The "Daily Mail" in a leader emphasises the seriousness of the position. "The only way to keep India loyal and peaceful is to show that we mean to govern, and will not be intimidated by the threats of fanatics like Gandhi and his howling friends. "Gandhi's dupes at the Round Table Conference persisted in all sorts of ridiculous illusions, but he is revealed again in his truo colours as the mouthpiece of sedition and disorder. "Britain is only adding to her mistakes in attempting to rehash the tragic Round Tablo farce by sending committees to India, headed by Lord Percy and Lord Lothian, who are purely politicians with no knowledge of the situation." The announcement of the news in the House of Commons was followed by a brief debate. "I much regret that the Indian crisis has come to such a head," Baid Mr. Georgo Lansbury, Leader of the Opposition. "Conditions in India must be extremely bad to force the Viceroy thus to exercise his powers. ".We must show whether Mr. Gandhi

represents only :t. section of Indian opinion, or something greater. My view is that coercion always makes the situation worse. Force is ■ not the remedy on cither side."

Sir Michael O'Uwyer declared that th: arrest was inevitable in consequence vif Mr. Ijiindhi's activities sinco his return to India. His lieutenants had been iirrestet!, and it would have been useless to have lopped off the branches and left the roof.

He hoped the Government would declare Congress to be illegal, and take action against its funds.