The Bismarck tribune., 1931-09-16
The Oracle of Delhi
minneapolis Tribune)

Out of the ancient land of India
has risen man who speaks to this
western world about love and peace,
appeals to mems reasons to abandon
barbaric wars, and asks that the
western world join him in obtaining
independence for the people Of India.
That man Is Mahatma Gandhi and
on Sunday America heard his voice
as he spoke over an international
hookup of radio stations. That love-
of mankind, which forms the basis
Of the Gandhian doctrine, Of nonre-
sistance, Is not new to this western
world. Has it not also been the core
of the Christian code, according to
which the actions of our western civ
ilization are presumably guided, and
that has been preached to that world
for centuries? Yet the Mahatma
finds himself the subject for the in
dulgent smiles Of the practical men
of politics everywhere.
First in the heart Of Gandhi Is, no
doubt, the cause of his people. He
wants for them Independence: yet
for him that freedom must come not
as result of war, because he does
not want the laws that govern brute
creation also to guide the human
race. THAT law is inconsistent with
human dignity" says the Mahatma.
India, the land that has been involved
In wars and internal struggles from
the time Of Alexander, sends its
spokesman to London to tell the
world that fighting for what one
wants is inconsistent with human
dignity" It is revolutionary doc
trine to preach to a world that be-
lieves that it Is not only consistent,
but necessary, in establishing that
human dignity, to kill in the name
of love.
Speaking from the innocent re-
cesses" of his heart, Gandhi told his
radio audience that he felt "the
world Is sick unto death of blood
spilling. The world is seeking a way
out and flatter myself with the be-
lief that perhaps it will be the priv
ilege Of the ancient land of India to
show that way out to the hungering
world" The little man Of India spoke
to world that was suffering from
the backwash of the most terrible
conflict In history. A world that
spends its mental force in devising
instruments for the amicable settle
ment Of disputes and at the same
time is spending untold millions Of
its wealth to keep itself armed to the
teeth. Did not Mahatma Gandhi see
here an inconsistency even greater
than that which he encountered in
the laws Of the brute that rule the
human race and which he said was
an affront to human dignity?" Is
that dignity much more than a pose,
the Mahatma might ask himself.
What was the message that the
Man of India had to offer that would
give to mankind q right to this dig
nifty? It was the doctrine of BROTH
erly love, of peace, and Of nonresist.
ance. Is mankind any more ready to
receive 1t today than it was when 1t
crucified the Prince Of Peace, 1000
years ago? The motives that ami
mated the politicians who murdered
that greatest Of the advocates Of
peace are little different from those
that rule the world today. That this
Is true may be evidenced from the
remarks Of Major General James G.
Harbord, addressed to a convention
Of the New York American Legion,
who has placed in words the phil
osophy by which human dignity"
justifies its wars:
There is in war ITSELF" said the
major general, something beyond
mere logic and above cold reason.
There is something in war made val
ues above social comfort, above ease,
and even above religion. It Is the
mysterious power war gives to life
rising above mere nfe."
i While there are men to preach, and
thousands to believe, that by killing
men we may rise "above mere life.''
just what chance does the thin voice
of the little Man Of India have OF
gaining a sincere audience?
/ yAkA =. -