Evening star., 1932-01-04
PRESS APPROVES ARREST.
Seizure of Gandhi Held Necessary to
Protect British Rule.

Seizure of Gandhi Held Necessary to
Protect British Rule.
LONDON, January (P).-The arrest
of Mahatma Gandhi for the third time
in his public career had been so strongly
indicated as certain to come that its
realization today caused no surprise
here.
The belief was expressed that popular
opinion here would undoubtedly tndorse
the governments action, not because
of any personal antipathy to Gandhi,
but because most British people regard
his campaign as dangerous to British
rule in india.
The fact that Prime Minister Mac
Donald, as head of the government,
concurred in Lord Willingdon's action
also was regarded in many quarters as
justifying the step, since the prime
minister's attitude toward India's self
government is known to be kindly.
Morning papers here, with the ex-
ception of the Daily Herald labor
organ, approved the arrest as neces-
ssry. some of them arguing that it was
long overdue.
Action Called Logical.
The Morning Post congratulated the
Indian government on IAN act of logic,
Justice and expediency" The Telegraph
said the "deplorable civil disobedience
movement cannot be bought of by
weak and timid concession and the
only chance of keeping it within bounds
is to show there Is still a steel hand in
the velvet glove and that the govern
ment still knows how to rule"
The Daily Mail said the greater part
of the trouble In India could have been
prevented had We realized that firm
hand is the most effective argument
and the one most quickly understood
in the East"
The Liberal News Chronicle, approv-
ing the arrest, said there was scarcely
any other course left for the govern
ment in view of Gandhi's attitude.
The Daily Express said it thought
Gandhi was fortunate to be put Into
nice safe prison" The Daily Herald,
however, asks: isn't this the bad
old way, against the follies and dangers
of which the prime minister himself
warned the Round Table Conference
delegates?"
Parallel Rule Charged.
The Indian Congress party, In the view
OF the BRUSH government, AAs1o ocV A'ScA
up as a parallel government in India,
is fighting law and order and is stand
ing in the way of carrying forward the
work of the Indian Round Table Con-
ference
The objective of Gandhi and his as
sociates it was said, is to bring the
government in India to standstlll, "on
the assumption by the Congress party
that an ignorant peaSantry can be
taught to defy the law without depart
ing from the ideal of non-Vloence.
The history of previous movements
of the kind, this spokesman said, shows
that outbursts of violence, which spare
neither class nor creed, are an newt
able consequence of such teaching:,,
Prompt and decisive action Will pe
taken against the leaders OF the SUB
versive movement, but at the same time
the government is determined not to be
diverted from the policy of political alli-
ance for India as outlined py FrHne
Minister Macdonald at the CONCLUSION
of the Round Table Conference:
Three committees will sail 1or lnala
on January IS, ready to negotiate with
anv and all indian leaders who Will CO.
operate. ,-,,s 20 -
This includes Gandhi himself, II as
this late hour he can be induced TO lend
his influence to the work Wnlch tiis
Round Table Conference began.