LITTLE SUPPORT

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17228, 7 April 1930, Page 7

LITTLE SUPPORT

GANDHI’S CAMPAIGN NEW CARD ANTICIPATED DELHI, April 5. Mr. Gandhi’s mass civil disobedience campaign is due to start to-morrow; but, judging from reports from the provinces, there is little indication that there is any wide sympathy with the movement.

Gandhi himself, with 80 followers, lias almost reached his objective, which is the village of Dandi, in the Surat district of Bombay, where he proposes to gather or manufacture salt deposits leit by ilie tidal waters.

Gandhi’s disappointment at non-arrest by the Government is becoming more acute, but it is believed that he has a new card ready to play, when he is certain the Government’s plan is to ignore him. The belief is held that Gandhi will not be arrested unless he so forces the issue as ,to leave no other alternative for the Government. The authorities have made elaborate plans in case of disturbance. Armed polico have been drafted to Dandi and British troops are held in readiness at various centres in Bombay Presidency. Sir Frederick Sykes, Governor of Bombay, was due to leave Bombay this morning for a tour of the Presidency, hut, following a meeting of the Executive Council, this has been postponed, presumably owing to developments in connection with Gandhi’s movement. ARRIVAL AT DANDI EVASION OF SALT TAX (Received April 7, 11 a.m.) DELHI, April 6. Mr. Gandhi has arrived at his destination at Dandi, and will inaugurate the campaign of mass civil disobedience by marching with volunteers .to the seashore, drawing, water in'pots and leaving it in the sun to evaporate, after whiei. salt will be manufactured, thus liouting the law. ■ /

Nationalists throughout - India have planned demonstrations to break tho salt laws, and in many centres salt will be manufactured publicly. 'To-day, the Bombay Government- announces that salt to be manufactured by Gandhi from natural deposits contains chemicals which are injurious to human consumption. Gandhi easily leads the field in amassing honors in his campaign. He had the satisfaction of producing over a ton of salt which was by no means palatable, and comes under the Gov-, eminent edict as unlit for human con-' sumption. The authorities are ignoring Gandhi’s efforts, and greatly to his disappointment he still remains a free man. The police, however, took swift action in another district of Bombay, where they arrested Katari, one of Gandhi’s chief lieutenants, and 55 volunteers. Reports from other parts if India prove that the opening of the campaign has been reduced to a farce.