The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1930-01-08
India

India
India looks like a hotbed of friction. If not worse
trouble, for England at this time, and no spot on the face
of the globe will receive SO much attention in the COM
ing weeks. probably. as the land Of the Moguls.
Three hundred million unlettered natives are demand"
ing independence through learned leaders who have been
educated in England but, after all, are simply NUTS like
Mahatma Ghandi. This latter leader, when appraised
by an Occidental. does not seem to amount to more
than a super moron. after all. He asks for independence
as though all his followers had had the benefit OF an
education like himself. India is to all intents and pur-
poses simply a rabbe, however. There is nothing IN
common between the unwashcd horde of Hindus. Moham-
medans and low caste natives and the Declaration OF In
dependence, which, in part. they had the nerve to adopt
as the expression of their desires. Nevertheless their at
titude constitutes the greatest menace to British security
in India since the sepoy rebellion.
If the present agitation eliminates in the formal adop-
ton of a declaration of independence by the nationals:
group-as seems inevitable - practically anything can
happen. It seems quite obvious that British rule may
be about to get the severest test it has had since the
Sepoy Mutiny.
Just how extensive the demand for independence may
be is a matter for speculation. India has 300.O00,0O0 in
habitants-but the vast majority is unlettered and
ignorant, neither knowing nor caring much about the
matter. The British have had vast experiences in hand
ling colonial problems. and the probabilities. of course.
are that the approaching crisis will be handled with
cool, unflustered competence.
The immediate future, however. will very likely prove
a trying time. The situation will be well worth watching.
According to word from Lahore, the new working COM
mittee of the India National congress decided to author
ize the president of the congress to call upon all native
congressman in the various legislatures to resign i'm
mediately. The action will be the first step in the move
to gain independence for India through non-cooperation
with the British governmental machinery.
The committee also fixed January rs as the date for a
nationwide demonstration in support of the congress
new ~creed-which was defined as "puran Swaraj' or
complete independence"
A small d~eputation of the working committee con-
Sdered it desirable to wait before giving such definite
shape to the policy of civil disobedience. so as to see
whether any future repressive action Of the government
could be made an issue for civil disobedience on an in
dividual or mass scale.
Under the leadership Of the left wing a rump congress
was held upon dispersal of the regular meeting and what
vas termed a Democratic party within the congress-
ional ranks formed.
The new party was compared to the Independent
Labor party in England. The new party will carry on
with the program of the National Congress, but might
differ on details while indorsing principle.
The rump session had its beginning in the withdrawal
Of 30 members from the congress when the minority
failed to gain representation on the new working COM
mittee Of the congress, whose membership was dictated
by Mahatna Gandhi.
One of the first acts Of the congress was to entertain
q motion for a resolution warning subscribers to Indian
loans that debts incurred in the present administration
by other than purely Indian national interests would be
repudiated by a national government If it came to power.
The British government fears no emergency with which
it will not be able to cope with the police and military
forces already in that country. The present military
strength there is $4,000 English troops and 10000 Indian
troops.
The bulk Of all these forces is stationed on the north
west frontier. with only small sarrisons scattered through
India as q whole. But in case of need, the interior points
cnIld be nllicEly Strenrtf1ened nv the transfer If tr0ODS
from the frontier. So the army appraisal Of the situa-
ton is to the effect that. unless widespread disturbances
throughout large sections Of India and attacks on the
frontier occur simultaneously. there will be no need TO
send more troops from England.
But this precautionary taking account Of stock as to
what strength is available by no means indicates the
government is contemplating any serious need for actual
" using that strength to maintain order in India because
Of the present agitation of the Lahore Nationalist con-
eress for independence. On the contrary, little disorder
Is expected and anything like a general uprising is con-
sidered entirely out Of the question.
II the Nationalist congress sees fit to exercise its
newly acquired authority to order q regime OF civil dis
obedience, including a refusal to pay taxes, it Is expected
by the government that the experiment will be made in
some restricted area in which there already. exists COM
munity discomfort and resentment over some extrane-
Gus matter. II the thing is tried the government Will
undertake to protect everybody who ignores the orders Of
the radical leaders against violence or boycott.
No order for disobedience Is expected by the author
tiles In the near future. There was much opposition w.
this device In the Lahore congress itself and the vote BY
which the COMMITTEES decided to commend It only
broduced = majority Of seven.
These Win also Re SIMPLE government protection Ter
~ Lahore delegates who decide To- ignore the order Of
thsr cougrsss - resign from the provincial lesisiatyrea
~ ecunctls q which they may b member No doubs
49, r. Mathematics who are membess a ths National
nnomnay ~ Delhi viii resign from that body = decreed
ther leaders, but many members q the provincial
f1atolntsres smjoy too much local power and prestige ii
th66e pclitieal groups e want 70 resign - : means u
y1oWing 6enanee u 1neland.
S.& Il eenae q assurance - to the outcome q tn
St5Ee ln1l6n ertgs y hased On the governnasnts analy-
~ IT. aetaaj situation IN terms ~ The number y n.
6~4 - - = stirred T. reyok ~ tie radical leaders
slsnpae pfocess = eiLnination. more