HATRED DENIED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 20858, 10 August 1942, Page 5

HATRED DENIED

POLICY AID TO~ BRITAIN OPPOSE AGGRESSORS PLEA FOR DEMOCRACY (By Telegraph—Press Assn- —Copyright.) (2 p.m.) LONDON, Aug. 7. “I do not want the Japanese in India. That would mean the end of China and, perhaps, the end of Russia. I do not want to be the instrument of Russia’s or China’s fall." Mr. Gandhi made this declaration in an address to the All-India committee of the Congress Party at Bombay to-day. A thousand people within and around the Congress marquee cneered Hr. Gandhi for. minutes upon his arrival for the meeting. The president, Dr. Azad, in opening the meeting, said: “The working committee's resolution means ’Let us have a declaration of independence forthwith and we shall immediately enter into a treaty of alliance with the United Nations for the sole purpose of fighting and winning the war. This is the crux of our demand. There is no heed unnecessarily to cloud tne issue by raising fears of anarchy and chaos. “If the British Government is earnest about this and true to their professions regarding India’s freedom, this can be done immediately. This is what we are asking the United Nations to do. I proclaim that a newly-freed India will wholeheartedly be with the United Nations in the fight against all aggression. “Quit India" Explained Dr. Azad. referring to Eir Stafford Cripps’ latest statement, said: It is absurd to suggest that we want anarchy and a complete absence of government in this, country. We want a change hi administration. M ■ also wrong to say that we want the British and American armies to leave India. The slogan, ‘quit India, means nothing more or less than a complete transfer of power to Indian hands. Whatever we have on botn sides, let us do it now.” Mr. Gandhi, following Dr. Azad, said: “There are people who have hatred in their hearts for the British. I have heard people say that they are disgusted with them. The common people’s mind does not differentiate between the Britisher and the imperialist form of their government. To them, both are the same. There are some who would not mma the advent of the Japanese. To them, perhaps, it would mean, a change of masters, but it is a dangerous thing ana; you must remove it from your minds.

“This is a crucial hour. It would not be right if we were to keep quiet and not play a part. If only England and the United Slates fight this war, is our party only to give momentary help? Whether given willingly or taken from us unwillingly, it is not a very happy proposition. Freedom by Fighting “We can show real grit and valour only when it comes to our own fight. Then even a child could be brave. We shall get our freedom by fighting I know full well that the British will have to give us our freedom when we make sufficient sacrifices to prove our strength. We must remove hatred for the British from our hearts. “At least in my heart there is no such hatred,” said Mr. Gandhi. lam a greater friend of the British now than ever I was, because they are m distress. My friendship demands that I make them aware of their mistakes. As I am not in the position in which they find themselves, I am able to point out their mistakes. I know that they are on the brink of a ditch and about to fall into it. Therefore, even if they do want to cut off my hands, my friendshio demands that I try and pull them from the ditch. “This is my claim, at. which many people may laugh. All the same, I say it is true. At a time when I am about to launch the biggest fight of my life, there can be no hatred for the British in my heart. Though that, because they are in difficulties, I should give them a push, is totally absent from my mind. It maybe that in a moment of anger they might do things that might provoke you. Nevertheless, you Should not resort to violence and put non-violence to shame. “Britain Will Never Fail”

“Never believe—as I have never ■believed—that the British are going to fail. They are not a nation ot cowards. Every soul in Britain will be sacrificed before they accept defeat. They may be defeated,.they ■ may leave you just as they left t e ■people of Burma, Malaya and othe. places, with the idea of recapturing the lost ground when they can. That may be their military strategy. Supposing they leave us, what happens to us? Japan will come. Her coming will mean the end of China and Perhaps of Russia. In these matters, Pandit Nehru, my teacher, I do not want to be the instrument of Russia’s or China’s defeat. If that happened I would hate myself.

“It may be that wisdom will dawn on the British and that they will understand that it is wrong for them t,, gaol the very people who want to fight for them. Non-violence is a matchless weapon which can help everyone. You will have to come together if you want real freedom. Such a coming together will create a true democracy the like of winch has ■not been so far witnessed or attempted. “I have read extensively about the French revolution and I was told all about the Russian revolution. I hold that though those revolutions were fights for the people they are fights iOr the real democracy which I envisage. My democracy means that everyone will be his own master. “We are aiming at a world federation. It can only come through nonviolence. Disarmament is possible only if you use the matchless weapon of non-violence. If you do not accept the solution I would not be sorry. On the contrary, I would dance with joy, because you would then relieve me of the tremendous responsibility which you are now going to place on me. I •want you to adopt non-violence as a matter of policy.” Mr Gandhi emphasised that once independence was obtained, whoever was capable of taking power would do so “The people may decide to place power in the hands .of the Parsees or any other group or party. It may be that power will be given to those whose, names are never heard in the Congress,” he said.