GANDHI’S SUSPICIONS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 112, 14 May 1931, Page 11

GANDHI’S SUSPICIONS

BRITISH BONA-FIDES A SIGH OF RELIEF. The reactions of the Indian people during the critical period of the Round Table Conference in London and, subsequently, of the conversations between the Viceroy and Mr Gandhi at iDelhi aro described by the Rev. W. M. Ryburn, M.A., of the New Zealand Pres byterian Mission in the Punjab, in a letter to a friend in Dunedin (states the Otago Daily Times). He writes: “During the past week the negotiations that have been taking place at Delhi between the Viceroy and Mr Gandhi have been the subject of everyone’s thought, hope, and anxiety. Hope has alternated with pessimism, and optimism with anxiety, us tho negotiations seemed to be proceeding smoothly, or to be in danger of coining to a deadlock. Things would seem to be at a standstill, when a message would come through that Mr Gandhi had been hurriedly summoned to meet the Viceroy, and that the interview had lasted on into the small hours of the morning. Then would come a report of a breakdown; then the news that cer-

tain points had to be referred to London; then more meetings; then references to the Congress Working Committee; then that the Finance Minister had come to the rescue with a concession of salt making. All, however, was uncertain, and no official statements were issued. Then, finally, came the glad news that peace had been made, that the Congress and the Government had reached an agreement, vvlii had been signed by the Viceroy and Ev Mr Gandhi. The Civil Disobubence Campaign was to be call 'd off, and Congress was to co-operate in implementing the work of the Round Th Ide Conference. ; Personal Triumph For Both. A sigh of relief went up all over India, and there was a general feeling of satisfaction that common sense and goodwill had triumphed. It was rci Used that one great oostacle. in the way | of working out of a suitable constitution had been overcome. This success vis mairdy due tu the strenuous effojts of Lord Irwin and Mr Gandhi. .Both wen; determined tnnt they should leave no stone until reed in their efforts to bring i-bout peace, and the result has Leon a p-rsorml triumph • for both these leaders. It is safe to say that very few mon could have accomplished what me Viceroy has done, and his success is a fitting crown for a term of service duiing wnich ho has con spicuously shown a sincere desire to help India and a genuine Christianii \ as ho has sought, to put his ideals into practice. Considerations of prestige, which have been the bugbear of both’ sides, were frankly put on one side, by both Lord Irwin and Mr Gandhi and to both men the country owes a*very great debt of gratitude for their wholehearted efforts to reach an agreement. “Most Significant Statement.” Mr Gandhi, at the conclusion of negotiations, paid a very fine tribute to the Viceroy. He said’: ‘I. would like to state that this settlcmv would have been impossible without the Viceroy’s inexhaustible patience, ami equally inexaustible industry ami unfailing courtesy. I am aware that. I must have, though quite unconsciously, given him causes for irritation. I must have also tried his patience; but I cannot recall any occasion when he allow’cd himself to be betrayed into irritation or impatience. I must add that he was frank throughout these very delicate negotiations, and I believe he was determined, if it was at all possible, to have a settlement. I must confess that I. approached the negotiations in fear and trembling. I was also filled with distrust, but at the very outset he dis armed my suspicion and put me at case. For myself, I can say without fear of contradiction, that when I wrote my! letter accpting the invitation to seel him, I was determined not Io be mildone in the race for reaching a settlement. J. am thankful to the Almighlv that a settlement was reached, and lhal. tlx l country has been spared, at. least for the time being, and, I hope, lor all lime, their suffering, which in the event of a breakdown would have inlcnsified a hundredfold. ’ “Most signilirnnl is the slaleiiienl about how Lord Irwin disarmed Mr Gandhi’s suspicion. This was prubablv the Viceroy’s greatest work, for sus picion of British bona tides has been one of fho deepest roots of all the troubles of the last decade.”