Evening star., 1931-12-28
GANDH| WILL FIGHT
ON IF MILLION DIE
Prepared for Any Sacrifice to
Free India, He Says in
Bombay Address.
Nv the Associated Press.

~ the Associated Press
BOMBAY, India, December 28.-
Mahatrna Gandhi in his first speech
after his return from London, told a
crowd Of $4,000 wnite-capped National
lists in an open field today he would not
finch from sacrificing the lives Of a
million people as the price of India'S
liberty.
In the last fight members Of the Ma
tionalist Congress had TO face lathis
(staves), he said, but the next time they
may have to face bullets.
IF the fight is inevitable, I will ex-
pect every son and daughter Of Mother
India TO contribute his mite" he said.
However, I will not abandon attempts
to save the nation from fiery ordeal.
If, on the other hand, there is no single
ray Of hope, shall not hesitate to call
upon you to bear any amount OF suf-
fering."
Fights With Conscience
It seemed clear Gandhi was struggling
VIII Ills GOIlOGlGLlNE " llllN M CGNdPC
frcm the revival of the IA.lt against
Great Britain His speecl ..as pune
tured with ifs" and othar qualifying
phrases.
IT the fight is inevitabe invite
you to be ready for it," re said repeat
edly, and then added, But l will go TO
any extreme to avoid the struggle
He said British officials were honest
in their conviction that India is unfit
for elf-government, but Il am all the
more convinced our sincerity in the
cause Of liberty will melt even the
stoniest hearts"
He counseled his followers to keep
their heads despite the bloody events
in the northwest frontier province, the
arrest of Jawaharlal Nehur and de-
portation of Abdul Ghaffur Khan,
leader of the Red Shirt" tribeSmen.
Twelve persons were injured in a
clash which took place at the pier
where a huge crowd awaited Gandni's
landing from the steamship Pilsna.
About 1000 "untouchables, carrying
black flags had gathered for an anti
Gandhi demonstration and they tried
to rush the pier.
Crowd Finally Dispersed.
DELEGATIONS Of the National Congress
caught the rush Of the MOP. Police,
with the assistance OF the congress sd-
herents, finally dispersed the crowd.
The injured included the captain OF the
Bombay volunteer organization and the
secretary of the local organization OF
the National Congress.
The Mahatma also heard news OF Sc
rious riots in other parts Of India,
which have taken IL lives in the last
two days At Lahore four Hindus and
four MoslenS we're injured today and
taken to hospitals. The city was
alarmed and curfew order was issued
compelling all citizens to remain in
doors between pm. and am.
Eleven persons were reported killed
Yesterday at Peshawar, where troops
fred on group of ant-British red
shirts" A general strike and the clos
ing of shops was proclaimed here today
in protests against the arrest Of Java
harlal Nehru, president Of the All-India
Congress.
Mahatma Hailed as King.
Among the first to meet the Mahatna
at the pier was his 6o-year-old wife.
She was followed by the ''untouchable"
boy he adopted some time ago.
Some groups of women admirers
placed garlands Of flowers around his
neck. To the greetings Gandhi re-
mained mute, because his day of silence
does not end until noon. He gathered
his spinning wheels, his bed his pots,
pans and loinclothS and walked down
the gang plank amid wave OF Sslaams
and a thunder Of long live Mahatma
Gandhi, our king"
British police and customs officers
frowned doubtfully.
AS he rode through the streets to
the home OF a friend, Nationahsts
saluted all the way.
Fears Trouble Ahead.
AS he rode up the harbor before
landing Gandhi, still observing his day
Of silence, wrote on a piece Of paper:
ITS a delightful feeling TO be home
again. But my happiness is tempered
with the sober realization Of the days
that lie ahead. God grant that un-
happy India may still find way to
peace and emancipation, by negotia-
ton. Tell America, as the exponent of
that liberty for which we hunger, not
to forget our sad people in her