Evening star., 1932-01-16

Imprisonment Of Mahatma Gandhi
produces varying reactions in this
country, both as to the prestige of the
prisoner and as to the merits of the
British attitude toward those who are
involved in the campaign Of passive re-
sistance.
THE viceroy had no choice but to
imprison the rebel and to proceed to
enforce the laws" in the opinion Of the
Newark Evening News, which believes
that Ito have done otherwise would
have resulted in total loss of order
and government, in civil war and in
surrections in other British Asiatic
possessions The Hamilton (Ontario)
Spectator feels that the wonder is that
Gandhi is permitted to carry on his
propaganda from his place of imprison-
ment," and that "it is further sign of
British tolerance that he can do So
The Oakland Tribune says that "the
issue in India can no longer be handled
with silk gloves or at the conference
table" and concludes that John Bull,
having seen all his offers of compro-
mise refused, and despairing OF the
chance to move the independence pro-
gram forward by gradual steps, is to
apply his colonial laws to the Ma
tfonalists'
"Mahatma Gandhi's arrest, the
fourth" according to the Cleveland
News, probably presages more de-
termined policy of repression on the
part of the British government than
formerly" The News adds: "Gandhi
might safely and conveniently be re-
moved from the scene while readjust-
ments were being made. There is rea-
son to believe that his following is
more personal than political. There Is
no assurance that the Nationalists have
another leader in reserve who could
command unquestioned loyalty. With
Gandhi out, the leaven of conciliation
might begin to work" Observing that
"it seems that the policy of Great Bri-
tain in the handling of this remarkable
man is to make of him loyal subject or
else to keep him in JAIL" the Davenport
Democrat declares that Great Britain
has shown him more leniency and con-
sideration than has been the case with
other insurrection leaders"
Men of his type" AYERS the Atlanta
Journal, have their mission in the
world no doubt, but when they tamper
with affairs of government they usually
do more mischief than good. Having
power over the imagination and con-
|
too often to WELD it through politics
rather than through morals, which
course is as if an astronomer, who could
do great service by reading the stars
Alright, should insist upon seizing the
helm of a ship about which he knows
nothing"
A change in the situation is pointed
out by the Cincinnati TimeS-Star with
the suggestion: The rebels now have
to deal not with sympathetic Lord
Irwin, but with a sterner Viceroy in the
person Of Lord Wilmington, who reflects
the more vigorous Indian policy of the
new home government. In his pictur-
esque way, Gandhi describes the cam
paign now beginning as India's trial
by bullets And Gandhi has shown
himself in the, past a pretty good
prophet. AS leader of the Indian cause,
however, Gandhi has lost in prestige
since he set sail for London and the
Round-Table Conference. One result
of that meeting. perhaps the chief re-
suit, vas the widening of the age-old
gap between MoSlem and Hindu. The
deadlock between these two factions
over the question of representation in
the Indian Federation was even more
significant than the deadlock between
| Britain and India"
meanwhile the world looks on with
apprehension, realizing that the Indian
situation is growing worse and becom-
ing very dangerous" remarks the Salt
Lake Deseret News, while the Portland
Oregon journal, with different point
of view, states: I'm his principles of
violence and only pacific and peace
full measures in striving for q mighty
end he sets an example to make
statesmen of all time realize what can
be accomplished without bloodshed"
"As for stamping out the desire In
India to be free Of England" advises
the Columbus Ohio State Journal, that
hope has been proven time and again
to be impossible. Indeed, by subject
ing the people to such tyrannical meas
ures as imprisonment without trial,
suppression of all semblance Of free
speech and free assembly. dictation Of
political beliefs, confscation Of private