“MASS STRUGGLE”

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 20858, 10 August 1942, Page 3

“MASS STRUGGLE”

CONGRESS PLANS “IN DEADLY EARNEST”

NOT THREAT, BUT OFFER

(10 a.m.) LONDON, Aug. 9. It is reported from India that the Congress Party committee adopted, with 13 dissentients, a resolution approving of “a non-violent mass struggle on the widest possible scale” if the British rule was not ended immediately. All amendments were rejected. ' Mr. Gandhi, speaking after the passing of the resolution, said: “We will make every effort to see the Viceroy before starting the movement.” He asked teachers and students to hold themselves in readiness to cease work, and called on all Indian newspapers to cease publication. Mr. Nehru, in moving the resolution, said: “The British Government as at present constituted could never really think in terms of advancing the cause of Indian freedom unless the entire character of that Government is changed.” He was positive that it would be better for India to cut herself off from such a Government and to set about the defence of India in the right manner. Dr. Azad ruled out an amendment by Pandit Sharma opposing any immediate anti-Government campaign. This was the first move within the Congress against the “Quit-India” resolution. Offer of Co-operation Mr. Nehru, concluding the Congress session, said: “The quit-India resolution is not a threat but an offer of co-operation to free India. We are an deadly earnest. We are on the verge of a precipice. This war is part of the resolution which is enveloping the world. The war may end, but the revolution will go on until it runs its course. There will never be a Hitler peace, no Pax Britannica, nor a Pax America. “Mr. Churchill spoke of two branches of the Anglo-Saxon race marching in dignity and majesty all over the world. That may have thrilled Anglo-Saxons, but the world is tilled with people who are not Anglo-Saxons. We have had enough of these mechanical civilisations telling us to do this and do that. “If Japan came to India you and 1 would suffer or die, not the people of London, New York or Washington. They say that we do not know what the Japanese would do. We know subjection better than anyone. We have had 200 years of it. We prefer to throw ourselves into the fire. The outcome would be a new nation, 6r we would be reduced to ashes.”

The speech was wildly cheered. Mr. Gandhi, in a letter published in the newspaper Harijan, appeals to America to act while there is yet time to bring about Indian independence and permit Indians to use their liberty in favour of the Allied cause. Immediate recognition of India’s independence should be regarded as a waxmeasure of the first magnitude. America has made common cause with Britain and cannot disown responsibility for anything the British do in India.

Six organisations in Calcutta, representing European businesses, including the Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Indian Jute Mills’ Association, announced measures for meeting any disturbance of industry, the protection of workers, and the ensurance of an adequate supply and distribution foodstuffs at reasonable prices.

The British press gives prominence to the Congress decision. Leading articles and special reports emphasise the gravity of the situation.