ARREST OF GANDHI

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 11 August 1942, Page 5

ARREST OF GANDHI

GENERAL APPROVAL IN BRITAIN COMMENT IN THE PRESS (Rec. 10.15) London, Aug. 10. The decision of the Indian Government to imprison Gandhi is generally approved throughout Britain, although there is equal regret that such a step should be necessary. The viewpoint of the man in the street was puzzled at the rejection of the Cripps offer, but nevertheless was inclined to be tolerant until the revelation that Gandhi would not hesitate to negotiate with the Japanese. This switched public opinion immediately against Gandhi and Congress. “The Economist” commenting before the arrest, said; “Gandhi and Pandit Nehru see in the present state of India and the world a chance to force on freedom of India at whatever risk. It is blackmail—from the highest motives perhaps, but blackmail nevertheless. It is plain now that Sir Stafford Cripps offered the only possible way out from the Indian impasse, and secondly, that the main Indian parties are neither willing nor able to take it.” With the main exception of the “Daily Herald” (Labour) English newspapers generally endorse Gandhi’s imprisonment. The “Daily Herald” says the arrest will make a martyr of Gandhi and believes he should not have been locked up until later, when it might have become an unavoidable necessity. BOTH AIMS THE SAME The Manchester “Guardian” is of opinion that neither prevention nor repression is enough. “No sane person can tolerate the thought that there should be a long period of a struggle growing more and more embittered and more damaging to the common cause. It is politically and morally monstrous for two sides to be at each other’s throats when they have the same alms. Congress stated in the Bombay resolution that the policy if India is freed is to aid the Allies ‘with all the armed as well as non-violent co-operation. This changes the situation greatly for the better and it is wrong that the change should largely be ignored as it is both in India and here. The Indian Government instead of simply refusing to negotiate with a merely destructive Congress ought to see that an immense constructive gain lies ahead if—through whatever means it can still be tried—a settlement can be reached. If both sides have the same sincere intentions in regard to India’s freedom and a due place as an active combatant against the aggressor, then it is ridiculous that we should be facing a conflict in which the aims of India and the Allies will more and more be forgotten. Surely there is enough wisdom in India to halt this quarrel before it confers a great benefit on the Axis and equal damage to

India and her Allies.” It seems unlikely that the British Government will make further proposals, believing that the Cripps mission was not wasted and that the mass of responsible Indians will accept that offer eventually.—P.A.