INDIA’S MISFORTUNE.

Evening Star, Issue 20993, 6 January 1932, Page 6

INDIA’S MISFORTUNE.

India’s misfortune at the moment is Mahatma Gandhi. It is a pity that a man so unstable, so lacking in practical wisdom, should have gained such a hold on the imagination of his countrymen. His arrest and the developments that follow will reveal whether or not,that hold has been maintained. Tho .incidents that have occurred in tho past few months show how far ho is from a grasp of tho realities of the position add tho extent to which he is dominated by the extreme Congress section in India. Its aim is selfgovernment for the country, absolute and immediate. Successive British Governments have shown a keen and sincere desire to accord to India the fullest measure of self-government consistent with the safety of India herself and of the Empire. That declaration was made in 1917. It still stands. Translating words into action, the Simon Commission, composed of able British statesmen of tho three political parties, was appointed. For three years it examined the position from every angle, spending long periods in India, in order to gain information, at first hand. In due time it presented its report, covering all the issues fully and impartially. It was a firm base for the operations of the Bound Tabic Conference in London, at which every section of Indian thought, with the exception of the Congress extremists, was represented. Notwithstanding the persistent efforts of Mr Ramsay MacDonald and the other British representa-

fives at tlio conference, no settlement mas achieved. After an interval of some months for consideration, the delegates again assembled in London. On this occasion Mr Gandhi and other Congress loaders took part, and hopes were entertained of an agreement, but again the proceedings ended ip a stalemate. The difficulties, of course, were immense. intense racial and religions differences and age-long social customs raised formidable barriers. There was a belief that these might be removed from the political field, but the demands of the Congress leaders made success for the conference impossible. It was realised by the British Government that if power was given prematurely to inexperienced politicians the hands of the clock would be put back very swiftly, and the work that British rule has slowly accomplished for all the peoples and communities in India would bo rapidly undone. Mr Ramsay MacDonald maintained an equable attitude in the face of the breakdown of the conference, on which he had set high hopes. Concealing his disappointment, he declared that the Government would not be diverted from its policy, notwithstanding the attitude of the Congress leaders and the failure to reach an agreement on the communal question. He expressed the Government’s belief in an all-Indian federation, properly safeguarded, as offering the only hope of a solution of India’s constitutional problem. Ho said they intended to pursue this plan unswervingly and to do their utmost to remove the difficulties in the way of its realisation. As a result committees have been appointed by the Government to prosecute that policy. The magnitude of the task can hardly be exaggerated. India is the most conservative and least united country in the world. Of her population of 350,000,000 —speaking twelve different languages and 220 distinct dialects—more than 300,000,000 are altogether illiterate. The orthodox or caste Hindus number about 170,000,000 and the Moslems 80,000,000. The Hindus are split into 2,000 castes or sub-castes, having no community of interest. In addition there are the depressed classes numbering 70,000,000. Amid this welter of religious and racial divergences the problem of obtaining a workable measure of cohesion and coordination offers no immediate or easy solution.

When Mr Gandhi reached Bombay last month on his return from London he made a provocative speech, in which he said that he would not flinch at sacrificing a million lives for India’s liberty. He, who had always preached non-violence, invited the country to bo x-eady to fight. Since then events have marched quickly. The forces of sedition, terrorism, and disorder have become increasingly active as the result of the activities of Gandhi and his lieutenants. As Mr MacDonald has said: “ Recent events do not represent a baffled, oppressed India struggling to be free, hut a mischievous movement traxnping upon Indian progress.” With a threat of civil disobedience and other lawless measures, tho Government of India is faced with a definite challenge by Congress. That Government, having carried tolerance and forbearance to the limit of endurance, has determined to take resolute measures to meet the dangers with which the country is threatened. It is being supported in its course by the British Government, Terrorism, violence, and the subversive activities of Congress are to be suppressed. The firm hand is imperative if India is to be saved from widespread disorder and misery.