The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1930-05-14
India's Disorders Born in Africa

j India's Disorders Born in Africa
English self-sufficiency was the inspiration of the yio-
lent riots and civil disobedience in India, which, while
they continue. ever possess the possibility of a flaming
revolt in which nationalsln, race and religious fanat-
icisn may unite in irrctrievablc embarrassment for
Great Britain.
Ghandi, as he is today in prison, has been 30 years in
the making. It is, therefore, no wonder that England
has such a big problem on its hands, for in Ghandi has
been raised up a relentless fanatic of the type which is
wont to run alnuck spiritually and politically once they
get started in a movement associated with race, sect or
country.
The ascetic leader Of midas civil disobedience did not
get his nationalistic inspiration in India. 1t was planted
in his soul in South Africa. In June, 1891. Gandhi. hav-
ing graduated from the University of London. was ad-
mittcd to the British bar and quit England for his ma
tive land. A Hindu firm then sent him to South Africa
to conduct a lawsuit. He found the Indians living In
South Africa treated the same as the aboriginal natives.
He became interested in their efforts to raise their status
and remained in Natal to conduct q successful campaign
against the governments nti-Asiati laws, sacrificing
his large legal income.
He founded an agricultural colony near Durham in
1904 based on his idea of remuneration. He abandoned
his legal garb and began wearing only a loin cloth.
Henceforth he became in the eyes of his followers Ma
hatma-the great soul.
The same processes of agitation were employed by
Ghandi in South Africa as now used in India. There
we're strikes, marches and Imprisonment. Eventually
Gilandi won better conditions for his followers and de-
parted for India in 1914.
With nationalistic consciousness aroused through par
~ticipation in the World war, Ghandi found an instrument
of agitation ready at hand for taking up what he had
left off in South Africa. This was the Nationalist con-
gress, founded by two liberal Englishmen but developed
to the point where 1t split into wings. with the left very
much In the same temper as the Sim Fem In Ireland
were before the series Of rebelions had brought about the
Irish Free State.
AS Ramsay Macdonald has stated the situation at that
time, the demand Of the Nationalist congress was
for enfranchisement and for responsibility. 1t was never
anti British and it has always contented itself with de-
handing a measure of self-government under the Brit
ish raj. But it gave birth to a left wing which gradually
gained an independent position and drew away from It.
The Anglo Indian administrator lost his opportunity.
THE congress which ought to have been accepted by
hin as a useful critic was regarded by him as an irrec-
onclable enemy. He resented 1t. He misrepresented
it. HI handed it over to the mercy Of its left wing. The
doctrine of a Sim Fem kind Of self help, the dream Of
the political boycott, were encouraged by the blunders
of the government
Gandhi came into prominence in India with his first
political coup in persuading the Nationalist congress Of
Hindus to make common cause with the Moslcras in
their support Of the caliphate movement, and in 1915 he
reflected the Lucknow pact creating an alliance between
the Indian Nationalist congress and the Indian Mos
lem league.
In 1919, when the home rule envisioned by Lloyd
George failed to materialize fast enough. Gandhi an
nounced his Satyagraha movement, the principle of
which is the asserted right to repudiate and disobey
unjust laws. Out Of that movement has developed the
present reign of disorder boding so Ill for Britain.