Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-01-09

India.
BY MAHATMA M. X. GANDHI.
BY Gable to The Star and the North Ameri-
can Newspaper Alliance.
AHMEDABAD, India, January e.
The world should realize that as con-
gress representatives, Pundit Motilal
Nehru Geader of the Nationalist in
the legislative assembly, and / could
only treat the viceregal pronouncement
about dominion status in India as a
response to the Calcutta congress reso-
luton of 1928. We were bound, there
fore, in pursuance of that resolution to
press for q clear declaration that the
consider only ways and means of franz
ing a scheme for dominion status
constitution and no other.
This the Viceroy, Lord Irwin, could
not do. Whilst, therefore, we appreci-
ated his good efforts and his difficulties,
we had no course left open but to de-
cline to have congress represented at
The proposed conference. The confer
ence, so far as congress was concerned,
having miscarried, the independence
resolution was inevitable.
But the independence resolution need
brighten nobody. had repeatedly de-
clared that for me, as for all other
congressman, dominion status could
mean only virtual independence: that
is, partnership at will for mutual
benefit and to be dissolved at the in
stance Of either partner.
Need Not Offend.
If such was also the meaning OF do
minion status as mentioned in the
viceregal pronouncement the congress
resolution for independence need not
offend any one. 1t only clears the issue,
especially after Secretary of State for
India Wedgewood Benn's unfortunate
statement that India already had a
dominion status in action.
The real cause for satisfaction to
lovers of peace consists in the fact that
through the full debate congress sup
ported methods OF non-violence and
truth to the exclusion of other methods.
Civil disobedience is a dynamic ex-
preston OF nom violence and truth. 1t is
undoubtedly fraught with great danger
and difficulties, but infinitely less So
than the present danger of unbridled
but secret violence breaking out in
many parts Of India owing to an under
standable and pardonable impatience on
the part of many youths.
Responsibility for initiating civil dis
obedience rests on me, and I am not
likely rashly to embark upon 1t.
At the same time must confess that
shall not hesitate to run q certain
minimum Of risk, which Is inevitable in
any struggle for freedom. The risk for
prolonging the present agony caused by
the realized slavery here is any day
much greater than am ever likely to
run.
Constitution Lapses.
The boycott Of legislatures is also part
OF the program for enforcing the ma
tional demand. This was O natural
corollary to the independence resolu-
ton, and am glad to say 1t Is finding
an adequate response from congress-
men. A constructive program--such as
removal Of untouchability, communal
union, liquor prohibition and the boy
colt OF foreign cloth-remains. These
have tremendous social and economic
value and also bear great political con-
sequences. The Nehru constitution with
its tentative communal solution nat
Congress will, therefore concentrate
on solving the communal question, not
on dinerential lines, but on strictly ma
tlonal lines. An important resolution to
that effect was passed at congress.
There was also resolution on finan-
cial obligations. 1t need not disturb
any foreigner who has a legitimate in
terest In India. It should be remem-
bered that there are always, under any
foreign government, obligations incurred
and concessions granted that are in no
way in the interest of the country con-
cerned and are indeed often hostile to
1t. These can never be acknowledged by
successors who are free to examine all
such obligations and concessions.
Congress has offered investigation of
these by an independent tribunal. Last
ly, the door against a conference pur-
posely convened to satisfy national as
pirations-that is to frame a scheme of
ndependence-has been left open.
cannot conclude this message with
out testifying that our young President,
Mr.. Nehru, jr. (son Of the Nationalist
legislative leader has surpassed all ex-
pectations. His address, If it was ex-
IRENE in conception, was moderate in
expression. His conduct in the chair
commanded the admiration even of
skeptics. His inexhaustible energy en-
abled him to close the session, which,
but for him, might have been unduly
prolonged.