CRUCIAL HOUR

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

CRUCIAL HOUR

GANDHI’S ASSERTION "STILL BRITAIN'S FRIEND’’ London, Aug. 7. “I do not want the Japanese in India- That would mean the end of China, and perhaps the end of Ilussia. I do not want to be the instrument of Russia’s or China’s fall,” said Gandhi, in his address to the All-India committee of the Congress Party. “There arc people who have hatred In their hearts for the British. I have heard people saying they are disgusted with them. The common people’s mind does not differentiate between the British and the Imperialist form of their Government. To them both are the same,” he added. JAPANESE DANGEROUS “There are some who would not mind the advent of the Japanese. To them, perhaps, it would mean a change of masters- But it is a dangerous thing; you must remove it from your minds. “This is the crucial hour- It would not be right if we were to keep quiet and not play our part—if only England and the United States were to light this war. Is our part only to give momentary help, whether given willingly, or taken from us unwillingly? It is not a very happy proposition. We can show real grit and valour only when it comes from our own fight. Then even a child will be brave. “We shall get our freedom by fighting. I know full well the British will have to give us our freedom when we make sufficient sacrifices and have proved our strength“We must remove hatred for the British from our hearts. At least in my heart there is no such hatred. I am a greater friend of the British now than I ever was, because they are in distress. My friendship demands that I make them aware of their mistakes. “BRINK OF A DITCH” “As I am not in the position in which they find themselves, I am able to point out their mistakes. I know they are on the brink of a ditch and about to fall into it. Therefore, even if they want to cut off my hands, my friendship demands that I try to 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. The thought that because they are in difficulties I should give them a push is totally absent from my mind. It may be 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. BRITISH WILL NOT FAIL “Never believe—as I have never believed —that the British are going to fail. They are not a nation of cowards. Every soul in Britain will be sacrificed before they will accept defeat. They may be defeated- They may leave you, just as they left the people of Burma, Malaya and other places, with the idea of recapturing 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, perhaps Russia- In these matters Nehru is my teacher. I do not want to be the instrument of Russia’s and China’s defeat. If that happened I would hate myself“lt may be that wisdom will dawn on the British and they will understand it is wrong for them to send to 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 which has not been thus far witnessed or attempted. “WOULD DANCE WITH JOY” “I have read extensively about the French Revolution. Nehru has told me all about the Russian RevolutionI hold that, though these revolutions were fights for the people, they were not fights for the real democracy which I envisage. My democracy means every one of us his own master. We are aiming at a world federation- It can only come through non-violence. Disarmament is possible only if you use the matchless weapon of non-violence. “If you did not accept the resolution I would not be sorry. On the contrary I would dance with joy—because you would then relieve me of a tremendous responsibility, which you are now going to place on me. I want you to adopt non-violence as a matter of policy.” Gandhi emphasised that once independence was obtained whoever was capable of taking power would do so. He added: ‘The people may decide to place power in the hands of the Parsees or any other group or party- It may be that power would be given to those whose names are never heard in the Congress.”