GANDHI’S FAST ENDED

Greymouth Evening Star, 4 March 1943, Page 5

GANDHI’S FAST ENDED

RESULTS DISAPPOINTING

LONDON, March 3. “After closing his eyes and meditating for a while, Mr. Gandhi, when his fast ended officially at 8 a.m. to-day, slowly sipped a glass of orange juice handed to him by< his wife,” says a Bombay message “The breaking of the three weeks fast was preceded by prayers and songs by inmates of the detention camp. According to latest reports, Mr. Gandhi is showing signs of" strain. He is weak but cheerful. It is understood that arrangements for his detention at the Aga Khan’s palace at Poona, which were interrupted by his fast, will resumed. “What is the result of Mr. Gandhi’s fast?” asks the Poona edrrespondent of the “Daily Mail. ’ \‘ln one sense he has suffered a rpajor defeat. For the first time he has undertaken a political fast and got nothing out of it. He is reported to be extremely despondent that the fast has been a flop, and has created far less interest in the British and American press than many previous fasts. It is also worth noting that India remained perfectly- calm, with no strikes, no mass demonstrations, and no recurrence of last Autumn’s disturbances. On the other hand, Mr. Gandhi has not lost prestige in the eyes of India. There is general concern at the state ol his health and there will be general rejoicing at his survival.” On the termination of Gandhi s fast arrangements for his detention and that of other persons, which was obtained before the fast, are now be ; ing resumed, stated a New Delhi communique. Such extra meaical attention as nursing which may be necessary will continue for the present. DESIRE FOR SETTLEMENT (Recd. 11 a.m.) POONA, March 3. After breaking his fast, Gandhi said he was most thankful to the doctors “for serving me so well, but I feel there must be something higher than the power of the doctors which saved me.”

Rajagopalachari, in an interview, hinted at a new attempt to break the political deadlock in India. He said it was necessary that those who met in Delhi recently should again meet and think furiously. “I can say nothing definite, but I seem to be gradually recovering hope. I must meet my friends and think out some plan.” He added that there was much cause for bitterness and anger as a result of Gandhi’s fast, but they . should check these feelings and devise ways and means of overcoming the Government’s obduracy and “the apathy of those whose co-operation we want.”