INDIA AND THE EMPIRE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17450, 24 December 1930, Page 7

INDIA AND THE EMPIRE

THE VICEROY’S APPEAL VIOLENCE DEPRECATED DELHI, Dec. 23. An India claiming a full share ot Imperial responsibility and privileges as a. co-partner in tin* common heritage of the British commonwealth was the ideal put iorward by the Viceroy in a speech •it, the annual dinner given by the Calcutta European Association last night. Replying .to criticism of the Government. the \ icorov declared that no government action, however drastic, would prove as powerful a solvent ot India’s troubles as public opinion, which fonte would inevitably defeat civil disobedience. Ihe \ icerov said that it would be a mistake to under-estimate the genuine and powerful feeling ot nationalism at present animating much Indian thought. The application of a ruthless policy of repression would probably have destroyed any hope, of bringing to a successful issue Britain s aim, which was to lead India to self-gove.rn ment and retain her as an equal and contented member of the Imperial family of nations.

Civil disobedience had developed into a challenge to the Government and a menace to the body politic. Those who bad aroused the spirit of law breaking in support of the so-called non-violent movement could not escape the responsibility when their gospel led ill-balanced minds to commit acts of terrorism.

CONGRESS LEADERS HUNGER STRIKING IN GAOL (Received Dec. 2-1, II turn.) DELHI, Doc. 23. Sen Gupta, the late Mayor of Calcutta, :m l l president of the .All-India Congress committee, and his English wife, are hunger striking in Delhi gaol, with many others, as a protest against the treatment accorded in gaol to 24 women convicted for picketing foreign liquor.

Meanwhile iStihhas Chandra Bose, the present Mayor and congress leader of Bengal, has again delivered himself. .Speaking at Dinajpiir lie said the struggle In which Indians were engaged was for equality, fraternity, and liberty. “We are sun* lo come out successfully, as truth is on our side. The question is only one of time. Tlif more heartily we take up the tight, the nearer will be our goal.”