TROUBLED INDIA

Southland Times, Issue 21072, 2 May 1930, Page 7

TROUBLED INDIA

GANDHI’S CAMPAIGN

BOYCOTT OF BRITISH CLOTH

X POLICY OF GOVERNMENT

(United Press Assn.—By Telegraph-Copyright.)

(Rec. 9.40 p.m.) Delhi, May 1. “So long as the law is openly defied neither the Viceroy nor the Government can do anything but resist its subversion by whatever means that may be in their power.” This reiteration of the Government’s policy in dealing with the civil disobedience movement is contained in a letter from the Viceroy, Lord Irwin, to Mahomed Ali, a prominent Mosleni leader, who sent a telegram to the Viceroy suggesting that a rapprochement might be sought to bring about peace honourable to both the Government and Gandhi. Ali had appealed to the Viceroy not. to permit the situation to become graver by the arrest of Gandhi, and both Gandhi and the. Government, had made sufficient demonstration of their strength. The Viceroy’s reply reminds Ali where the responsibility lies for the present situation, and concludes with the statement that the policy of the Government in regard to a solution of India’s difficulties remains unchanged. Devidas, a son of Gandhi, was sentenced to a year’s vigorous imprisonment at New Delhi on a charge of sedition. The movement for the boycott of British cloth is intensifying throughout India, and Hindu cloth dealers in Calcutta, Bombay, Delhi and other principal cities have decided not to place further orders till the end of the year.

The action of Nationalist volunteers in picketing cloth shops and preventing the sale of British goods Is creating dissatisfaction among the Moslem dealers, most of whom are exnosed to the boycott.

The Amritsas (Punjab) Traders’ Arbitration Board considered the situation arising out of the boycott and passed a resolution, which was sent to the Viceroy, drawing attention to the fact that merchants were repudiating contracts. Others are panicstricken on account of the severe local trade depression.

GANDHI'S POSITION

ARREST REGARDED IMMINENT. (Rec. 7.5 p.m.) London, May 1. It is reported that Cabinet has consented to the arrest of Gandhi in the event of the Viceroy considering it necessary. Gandhi's arrest is regarded as imminent.