THE POSITION IN INDIA.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18609, 3 July 1930, Page 2

THE POSITION IN INDIA.

STRUGGLE WITHIN A STRUGGLE. (“Christian Science Monitor.”) To understand what is going on in India, states the writer, it must be realised that there are two struggles in progress there. There is a struggle within a struggle, and the inner struggle, which is not receiving much attention from the press of the world, is by far the more significant. Most of the world sees only the outward struggle—the effort of Indian nationalists to free their land from the rule of | Britain. This is, of course, enormously important, for it will have a farreaching effect upon the fate of the British Commonwealth of Nations. For the immediate present, however, ‘ the outcome of the inner struggle will 1 have more to do with the fate of India. I This is the struggle which Mahatma Gandhi is waging to hold the nation- [ alist movement to a programme of I non-violence. Gandhi has staked his leadership on conducting a campaign of I wide civil disobedience while refraining 1 from any resort to force. It is a [ delicate policy; a policy that has never been successfully carried out on any I large scale. If it fails in this instance, j not only will Gandhi account his leadership a failure, but India may be precipitated into one of the most tragic catastrophies of modern history. Even sympathetic observers of India’s agitation against British rule question whether that country could maintain orderly government if the British administration were withdrawn. So bitter are the animosities between Indian religious groups and social classes that there is every likelihood that any achievement of complete independence at this time would almost surely be followed by a period of nearchaos. But to Gandhi the dangers following on a future withdrawal of British rule do not equal the dangers of the present moment. For a long time past he has been convinced that India was on the verge of rebellion. Some competent observers agree with him. Believing a break bound to come, he has felt responsible to humanity, as well as to India, to see that the movement was held within the bounds of non-violent activity. It was no easy task to swing the nationalist movement behind such a nonviolent programme for the younger portion had already become deeply tinged with the desire for direct action when Gandhi began his campaign to resume leadership about two years ago. By a narrow margin of votes he succeeded in winning the Indian National Congress to his programme of nonviolent civil disobedience. It is this programme which he has begun to carry into effect with his defiance of the Government’s nrl t monopoly. The issue now, illustrated by the contrast between the riots in Calcutta and other large cities and the peacefulness which surrounds Gandhi’s own salt-making and speaking, is as to whether the ascetic leader can hold this national uprising in line. If he can, the crisis may be worked out without serious bloodshed. If he cannot, the future is indeed black.

Apparently, the British authorities realise the importance of the inner struggle being conducted by Gandhi. They have been wise enough, therefore, to leave him at liberty, while maintaining the authority of the existing laws by arresting some of his Important followers. Gandhi at liberty means, to them, a chance to keep the rebellion from a general resort to violence; Gandhi in gaol means almost certainly the loss of his leadership upon the younger Indian hotheads. India’s nationalist movement will pass through many stages before it is finished. Its final outcome cannot as yet be even dimly foreseen. But it is clear that, as matters stand to-day, more important than the outward struggle between India and Britain is the inner issue within the nationalist cause. Will Gandhi hold his authority or will there be general resort to violence? The peace of the world has a large stake in the outcome.