Evening star., 1931-12-25
GANDH| EULOG|ZES
SERMON ON MOUNT
Says Doctrines Proclaimed
There Would Prevent Wars
and Economic Troubles.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press
S. S. PILSNA, December 25.-Ma-
hatma Gandhi, who is a Hindu, but is
more familiar with the Scriptures than
many Christians, pointed to the Ser
mon on the Mount" as the way of re-
demption for a suffering world
If mankind is to live in a manner
bef1tting its dignity" he said in
Christmas pronouncement, 1T must OBJ
serve the fundamental principles of
truth, justice, mercy and love enunci-
ated 1000 years ago by the Great Man
whose coming upon earth the whole
Christian world is celebrating
"Christ's sermon on the mount is the
loftiest piece of moral teaching the
world has ever received. 1t is calam-
ity that the present-day world seems
to believe it impossible to reduce
Christ's teachings to practice, whereas
I believe it is"
He spoke these words with great fer
vor in the waning light of his tent
while the Pilsna was speeding him
through the Indian Ocean on the way
back to Bombay from the roundtable
conference in London.
Wishes U. S. Could Lead Way.
Like millions of others, l have de-
rived infinite comfort from the SER
mon on the mount" he continued. If
the doctrines there proclaimed by Jesus
were practiced by the human race We
would have no wars, the world would
not be rent with economic troubles,
racial hatreds and spiritual disunity,
there would be no need of a diSarpa-
ment conference"
Later. as Gandhi's evening prayers
were interrupted by the sounds of rev.
elry from the firSt-claSS salon. where
masquerade ball was in progress. he
added gravely:
Il never have been able to reconcile
myself to the gayetieS of the Christmas
season. They appear to me to be in
consistent with the life teachings of
Jesus.
How I wish America could lead the
way by devoting the Christmas season
to real moral Stock-taking and en-
phasizing the conservation of all be-
levers to the service of mankind, for
which Jesus lived and died on the
cross"
Opposes Renewal of Drive.
Statements made by Gandhi wire
lesSed to the Associated Press by James
A. Mills indicate he has no desire to
renew the civil disobedience campaign
until all possibilities of peace have been
exhausted
But he will find India much dis
turbed when he arrives there December
% and deserts his little tent on the
Italian ship for leadership of Indias
millions clamorlng for self-government.
In Bengal, at the extreme west there
is violent opposition to the measures
the government has taken to suppress
lN.N CIV Dtr T,t+o
university students are awaiting trial
for the assassination of a judge.
Rent Strike in AIlahabad.
In Allahabad, a rent strike is in
progress. and the British authorities
have stiffened their attitude toward
the National Congress, an unofficial
body headed by Gandhi and devoted to
the independence of India Gandhi had
been expected to confer with members
Of the Congress at Allahabad on De-
cember 80, but the government has
forbidden meetings Of this character
The failure Of the recent second
Indian round table conference in
concrete plan for extending greater
freedom to India Immediately fired un-
rest among extremists, and ended the
truce which had been in force
Although Prime Minister Macdonald
took the position that the conference
had resulted in better understanding
between the government and various
antagonistic groups in India, and urged
friendly cooperation until COM
mittees can visit India next year to
make a further study of the complex
racial and religious problems, Mahatma
Gandhi foresaW the recurrence of un-
rest, he declared: There is going to be
hell in India"
Both of the Indian round table con-
ferences held in London this year re-
vealed almost irreconciliable differences
among the Hindus and Mohammedans
and other minorties. The racial and
religious lines are so sharply drawn
and the distruSt so widespread that
plans for distribution of offices and the
protection Of minority rights under a
free India, which would not have
British officials, cannot easily be
formulated