The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1930-08-21
The Cunning Mr.. Ghandi
minneapolis .Tribune)

- VuA
Ihere can be no discounting the Importance of the
report that Mahatma Gandhi is prepared to talk terms
bone. of civic revolt in India would be instantly snapped,
That Slight, %brooding, sad-eyed figure remains, even in
a prison cell, the supreme arbiter of the Nationalist
fortunes. AS Gandhi moves, so runs the whole course
OF Indian revolt and insurrection. It is highly significant,
then, that the Mahatma, as leader of the homeopathic
movement, appears ready to modify and soften the origi-
nal demand for immediate self-rule. He can now be con-
ci!iated. according, to reliable reports, by the definite and
Official pledging Of Great Britain to a policy guarantee
ing ultimate dominion status. Self-rule is to be no longer
a matter OF now-or-never with Mr.. Gandhi; but it is
10 be a matter secured, and beyond all question of
doubt, by ironclad British guarantees.
If there is a suggestion of retreat about this, it is GER
talnly a suggestion of strategic retreat. The sudden
SHIFT OF front can do the Gandhi cause no harm, and
there is at least a fair likelihood that it will have the
effect of forcing Brtain's hand. It is a well known
fact. OF course, that Britain is not much more enamored
with the idea OF ultimate dominion status than it is
WIN the IDEA OF immediate dominion status. Where
Ramsay Macdonald Is committed to dominion status
and where Lord Irwin, viceroy of India, refers to it as
the great body OF British opinion IS still rather solidly
against It, In Britain there is considerable talk Of
dominion status. A great many fine phrases have been
conscripted to prove that 1t is the ideal theoretical solu-
ton OF the Indian problem. But as a practical PROPOSE
tion the idea OF a dominion Of India embracing, that
~crazyquilt of nationaities,. religions, vernaculars and
castles is one which strikes the average Britain as hope
lessly ~grotesque.
1t would seem a shrewd move on the part Of Mr.. Gand-
M, therefore, to- seek a showdown on the broad Ques-
ton of self-rule before goading Britain further with
specific time demands. That Britain would not counten-
ance tne granting OF immediate dominion status he must
now be well aware, If he has ever entertained any Sc
rious doubts on the subject. The campaign of civil dis
obedience has certainly not budged Britain by so much
as an inch from its determination to make no such
grand concession. But whether or not dominion status
is to be an actual and established governmental policy,
or merely a handy governmental sop, is q question which
Gandhi may reasonably and profitably press. BY moder-
atlng his demands. the Nationalist leader unquestionably
strengthens his case: If some definite and favorable
commitment on dominion status is not forthcoming at
the November round table conference, the entire unrea-
sonableness OF the Gandhi stand cannot at least be set
forth In extenuation for Gandhi will be, by all past
standards, intensely reasonable.
mat the Labor government will suffer no little en-
parraSslnent as a result Of the new Gandhi strategy is
obvious. If it ~repudiates dominion status as a definite
policy, the hollowness Of its present pretensions will be
painfully apparent: And II it pledges itself to dominion
status as a definite policy, 1t must prepare to weather
the blasting fury of its critics. But it is important. at
least, that Gandhi has edged nearer to a common meet
ing ground. Presumably Britain has had about enough
OF the campagn of civil disobedience which has added
heavily to its economic burdens and which has flared
on occasion, into open and bloody revolt. If there was
ever an suspicious time for the Nationalist to talk rea-
sonably, " Is the present, for Britain is patheticaly
eager TO be reasonable. Any other course, as a matter
OF cold. hard fact, might be fraught with tragic con-
sequences. MI. Gandhi is being moderate, we suspect.
merely because moderation happens to be, for the
moment the sharpest, most effective tool at hand.