The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-12-25
INDIA GAGGED
BYbR|TISH TO
HALTFREEDOM
Mysterious and Powerful
Swaraj b Explained by In
dependence Leader.
WALES VISIT HELD FUTILE
10000, 900 Are Marching to
Revolt as Unbreakable Unit,
Is Claim.


Is Claim.
Thts Is the first of ssviss Of news
features on the nationalist move
nsemt IN India BY Sailendva N.
Chose soritten erclusively for Unit
versdl Service. Mr.. Chose Das
lermerty of the faculty Of the
University College of Science, Col
cxttd. He aUas imprisoned for his
activities as a nationalist, but es-
capped and came to America. He
Is a foremost authority.
BY SAILENDRA N. CHOSE.
National Director, American Commission
to Promote Self Government In India.
Recent dispatches from India
state that Mahatma Mohandas Ka-
ramchand Gandhi says India has de-
clared war on England. Gandhi
states that this war is to the finish,
and may stagger humanity, but in
any event India must have Swaraj,
self-government.
Thousand Arrested.
That declaration coming from
0andhi soon after the proclamation
OF the government of india. outlaw
ing the Indian National Congress, the
Rhalifat Association, the National Vol
unteers and similar organizations,
bears q mark of extreme Significance.
Thousands of Gandi's lieutenants--
able and sincere leaders OF the Ma
tionAiist nomenclature been ar
rested and imprisoned or otherwise
gotten rid of.
The Indian press has been gagged
completely. The British propaganda
machinery In working overtime to ur-
dermine the Nationalist movement.
Wales Visit Futile.
The Prince of Wales IL being taken
on tour by the government in its
futile attempts to get the confidence
OF the people. Lord Reading, the Vice
roy of India, is oiling his machine Of
adroit and shrewd diplomacy. But
Gandhi goes on undated, unchecked,
unmoved.
Not only Gandhi marches on, but
the nation as whole II marching for
ward. The outlawed organizations are
functioning and national volunteers
are being rapidly transformed into
the national republican army of India,
anu are IunctiohihB ID lHey nave Ho'o.
functioned' before. The first test vi
the strength Of this movement came at
!, the time of the boycott Of the Prince
of Wales at Allahabad.
Not one person out Of the ESQ 900 In
hAbitants of the city stole a look at
the prince, not one street car ran, not
one automobile drove. The "City Of
the Gods" az Allahabad In COMMONLY
called, was transformed into CITY Of
the Dead" Thus India is marching
toward Swaraj.
The Swaraj Problem.
What is this mysterious Swaraj
which is so powerful and 80 natural2
What is this Swaraj which is the in
cessant topic Of street discussion, the
dream of the poetic mind. the mirage
of the intelligencia, the consolation of
the laborers of India and "a big prob
lem" in Downing street?
"Swaraj Is Swaraj," incapable of
any analytic definition, c. r. Das,
president election IT the coming In
dian National Congress NOV in jaiD
has said. Swaraj Is freedom, say
others. Swaraj ID not only political
freedom; Swaraj Is not only economic
freedom; Swaraj 10 not only moral
freedom Swaraj Ia not only intel
freedom. 1t IL freedom" of soul.
body, and mind, and, therefore, un.
definable, although considered po-
litically 1t means complete self-sov.
eminent. e "
1t 10 freedom enjoyed in a free at
mosphere, Of free individuals by free.
dom loving workers In the cause of
freedom the world over. 1t ia active.
positive, definite freedom. unadulter.
ated with any political compromise.
Indian Swaraj. therefore. cannot be
satisfied by either dependent or DO
minion status. 1t can only be salts
ish association.
midas Mighty Hope.
Association with the British i'm.
perial system in any shape or form
is only a negation to the Indian
SwaraJ. As Mr.. Gandhi recently said:
"Swaraj means complete freedom
OF opinion and action without inter-
ference with another's right to equal
freedom Of opinion and action. There
fore, II means midas complete con-
troll Of sources of revenue and ex-
penditure, without Interference from
or with any other country
India has come to believe that in
deserved slavery lies not only her own
salvation but the salvation of the
world. India believes that through
Swaraj India has message to give
to the world. In that faith the swarat
tdealist works and moves. In this
faith the goal>of swaraj is nurtured.
320,000,OO In Movement.
Swaraj Of India does not aim at az.
polling the good and saving virtues in
any culture. 1t has no retrogressive
tendency.
ut pins its faith on a new con.
struction OF labor based on moral
consideration of hours and wages, on
guarantees OF leisure and diversion, on
assurances Of amenities of culture, and
the graces of domestic life for every
laborer," says N. c. Banerjie, a
non-co-operator Of Bengal now in
jaiD, who also continues:
1T does not believe that riches
and power should be the only rules
In human affairs. 1t reduces the
power Of the diplomat. the shrewd
lawyer. the tactful speculator, the