GANDHI'S FAST

Grey River Argus, 24 February 1943, Page 1

GANDHI'S FAST

PLEA TO DESIST Release Refused [Aust. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] LONDON, February 22 A bulletin issued by the Bombay Government says that after a restless night Mr. Gandhi’s health entered a crisis at 4 o’clock on Sunday afternoon. Mr. Gandhi seemed more comfortable and mor e cheerful, but his heart was weaker on Monday. On Sunday when Gandhi entered the crisis at 4 p.m., he was seized with severe nausea and almost fainted. His pulse became nearly imperceptible, but he became able later to take water, with lime juice. He rallied from the crisis and slept for about 5J hours. Six doctors signed the report giving this information. Monday (to-day) is Gandhi’s day of silence. He appears comfortable and is more cheerful, but his heart is weaker, adds the report. LONDON VIEWS. DANGER TO ALLIED PLANS, (Rec. 11.30) LONDON, Feb. 23. “The Times” Delhi correspondent says: Sir T. S. Sapru told political leaders that “some of them” would be seeing Mahatma Gandhi within the next three or four days, pleading with him to break his fast. Increased attention is being focussed on the position of Mr. Gandhi as his condition grows worse. There are two views—one that the fast is a deliberate last card, in an attempt to blackmail the Government into accepting the Congress claims that the Viceroy has done everything in his power to prove that the fast is Gandhi’s concern alone and that none of the possible consequences can lie at the door of the Government of India. The other view is that Gandhi has opened a new phase and that the Government has to decide whether to continue washing its hands of the results, which may be disastrous, or find in the fast an opportunity for good—that it would be better to release him than let him die, in which event India would certainly canonise him.

Many consider that if Gandhi died the consequences would be irreparable. It is emphasised in London that all decisions in the present position are taken by the Government ol" India and not by the Indian Office, and that only as an extreme measure would London be asked to step in..

The importance of Gandhi’s attitude is not only whether or. not Congress is guilty of instigating violence —of which the Government of India, accuses it and which Gandhi denies ■ —but the serious consequences the position may have, affecting the entire Allied Far East time-table. The Indian riots have already caused the deferment of . the proposed Burma campaign, for the position in India last Winter was largely responsible for diverting two divisions from Burma at a critical stage, and the recapture of Burma is obviously needed to provide a route to China. Renewed Indian restiveness might result in further harm to the campaign for Burma.

It is improbable that the Government of India will relax its attitude towards Mahatma Gandhi’s demand for his unconditional release, says the “Daily Express” political correspondent. The view 7 taken is that he 'has fasted voluntarily, refusing a Government offer of freedom while he is fasting to enable him to fast in some place of his own choice. The Viceroy’s Ministers fe£l that it would be unfair to the mass of loyal Indians and to British forces and police in India for it to surrender to Gandhi. It would also anger Moslems and other influential bodies, and create even a more difficult political situation. Whitehall confirms the Indian Government’s view. “The Times” in a leading article says: While leaving his intended effects ambiguous, Gandhi informed the Viceroy that he would fast “to his capacity” limit. His capacity has been reached. It may be surpassed. Ail the appeals for his unconditional release have so far ignored the Governments responsibility vjhein an enemy is on the frontier, and also its dilemma because of a threat of civil disobedience involving strike action against the military security of India and th e United Nations. The Indian Government has published a 86-page booklet, which it says, gives part of the evidence in ,the Government’s possession of Gandhi’s responsibility for the disturbances in the last six months. The booklet quotes a passage written by Gandhi on June 7, 1942: “I waited and waited until the country should develop the non-violent strength necessary to overthrow the foreign yoke, but my attitude has now' undergone a change. I feel I cannot afford to wait. I am sure the anarcny that mav result because of the British withdrawal, or their refusal to listen to us„ and our decision to defy their authority, will in no way be worse than the present anarchy.’’ Sir Richard Tottenham, additional secretary to the Home Department, in a preface to the book, says the review does not purport to disclose all the information in the Government’s possession. There is a large volume of evidence which is undesirable to publish at present. The booklet gives instances of attacks against Government buildings led by local Congressmen. The “Manchester Guardian, in a leading article says: What the Indian Government and our own Government have to consider is not merely the barren question of who is responsible for the’disorders last Autumn, but what sort of India will face us if Gandhi dies. Let the Indian Government' set the past behind It and resolve the future shall not. be lost bv either action or inaction. If Gandhi dies, the consequences may be irreparable. Should he be released and live, the difficulties will be no greater, and they can be fought with the faith to overcome. All Indian morning newspapers on Monday, unanimously appeal lor Gandhi’s release. A deputation of 19 Indians, representative of all faiths and political opinions asked the Indian High Commissioner in London, to acquaint the Government of their grave concern of the condition of Gandhi, and request his immediate release. the deputation was the result of a meeting of the Indian community, when the release of Gandhi was urged. A bomb exploded last night, at the New Delhi railway station. One passenger was killed and another was injured.