The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1931-03-16
SETS r DEMANDS
IN POINTS"

SETS FORTH DEMANDS
IN FOURTEEN POINTS"
On Jan. 80 Gandhi did another
thing with an American accent. Just
as President Woodrow Wilson laid
down his IA points to the enemy dur
ing the World war. SO Gandhi issued
his IA points to the government of
| India.
These included abolition of the
government salt monopoly with the
right of natives to make their own
salt: freedom for political prisoners,
thousands Of whom had gone to Jail
in India for his cause; abolition of
political prosecutions, etc.
Gandhi announced that if Lord r.
win, the viceroy, would accept these
points, there would be 10 civil dis
obedience and the National Indian
Congress would participate in any
conference where there was perfect
freedom of expression. The viceroy
refused to accede.
Gandhi at once announced that
he and his followers would begin
their civil disobedience by ignoring
the salt tax. Salt being a govern
ment monopoly, a considerable tax
vas raised thereby.
Gandhi prepared a great march to
the sea from Ahmadabad. Arrived at
the seaShore, they would make their
own salt. On April 6, 1890, he broke
The salt laws at Dandi. In the mean
time his example vas being followed
in many other places and shops,
where government salt was on sale,
were looted.
ARRESTED AND JAILED
ONCE MORE BY BRITISH
Finally on May S, 1890, the gov
ernment arrested Gandhi. It was not
necessary to put him OH trial, as he
had been released before, with a ma
jor part of his former sentence still
unserved. He "a accordingly jailed
at Poona.
In the meantime. the Indian
round table conference was held at
London and a considerable measure
of agreement was found between the
claShing interests. But the British
| government decided that no positive
steps could be taken until the Indians
Of all faiths and political beliefs
could get together further. They
realized that nothing could be done
50 long as they held in jail the most
powerful leader in India.
Accordingly, Gandhi was again re-
leased-in January, 1881. He Travelled
down to Bombay and was greeted by
an enormous and w%orshiping throng.
He was still the crusader for midas
freedom, but he showed a o hope
full attitude. He was willing to talk
business with the British viceroy of
lndia-and Lord Irwin was at last
willing to listen.
The world knows what happened
next. On March 4, the gaunt, half
naked leader Of midas millions and
the British empires viceroy signed
the famous truce at New Delhi.
Peace had come at last and India
had achieved the promise of the self
governing status of a British domin-
ion, the details of which are soon to
be worked out at a conference.
l0.YEAR STRUGGLE ENDS.
BUT FUTURE IS GRAVE
Gandhi also won his demands for
the right of the natives to make salt,
thus ending the government Mono
poly: for the liberation Of all politi-
cal prisoners except those accused Of
murder: for the return Of their con-
fiscated property. Britain, on the
other hand, was to retain control over
the military and financial features Of
midas government.
FortC years Of struggle for the po-
htical freedom Of his blood brothers
is now ended with Gandhi's concilia-
tory peace without victory" But
another great task lies before him.
In . land Of brown millions where
civilization is tardy and primitive cus-
toms cling like mold on the face of
progress. Gandhi must fashion the
machinery Of modern legislative gov
ernment with, perhaps, a congress
like that Of the United States. More
over, he must unite the Hindus and