Evening star., 1942-10-23


Sir Stafford says the key to the
situation is Mohandas K. Gandhi's
persistent support of the policy of
non-violence.
The point made is that it is i'm
possible for Gandhis personal ad-
herents to participate in any gov
ernment, no matter what its nature,
which wages war. Thus England.
which is in the midst of life-and-
death struggle, is asked to counte-
nance an Indian government that
not only would not fight, but might
even insist on making peace with
Britains enemies.
Il don't believe that Gandhi, who
wasn't present when the decision
was taken, was personally RESPONSE
BILE for the rejection of the govern
ment's proposal" Sir Stafford
added.
Rates High in England.
However, his influence and ideas
dominated those of the Working
Committee of the All-India Con-
gress, who did turn down the offer.
We must have the agreement of the
Congress for any solution"
Now If Sir Stafford's estimate of
the position is correct, 1t makes
much more easily understandable
one of the worlds most complicated
problems. Heretofore all sorts of
involved reasons have been advanced
by various disputants to explain the
failure to agree. This new expla-
nation, calculated to show that the
imbroglio is revolving on a single
pivot, is easy to see.
Next to Prime Minister Churchill,
Sir Stafford is probably the most
talked of man in Britain. Some OF
his political opponents tried to make
capital OF his failure to achieve an
agreement in India, but his stock
seems to rate high throughout the
country.
Sir Stafford doesn't wear his
character on his sleeve. His per-
sonality conceals more than 1t re-
veals at the first meeting.
The moment you encounter him
you set him down as a man of great
capabilities. His mind ticks off
logical thoughts with the precision
regularity of taxi meter recording
a fare.
Outspoken and Frank.
He Is outspoken, too, and frank.
I judge he holds views about shar-
ing which aren't popular among the
imperialists and vested interests.
For instance he said to me:
Il believe in granting the Indians
100 per cent elf-government. I al
ways have believed in that"
Well now that is very strong mus
tard for any one who wants to keep
a string on the vast Indian Empire.
1t brings tears to their eyes and
makes them think harsh things
about Sir Stafford.
He always has been a lone wolf
and has found it difficult to run
with the pack. One wonders whether
that characteristic may iniure his
chances of becoming Prime Minis
ter.
Speaks Highly of Gandhi.
Sir Stafford speaks in the high
est terms of Gandhi as one of the
great thinkers and leaders of our
time.
L believe Gandhi is quite sim
cere," he said, but with his pas
slonate belief in non-violence he
must keep the Congress non-violent
and so non-co-operative with a gov
ernment which is at war.
He is the greatest single influence
IN India, or at least in the All-India
Congress. We must have the Con-
gress for any complete solution.
The tragedy of it is from the
Indian standpoint that had there
been an agreement and had a eov-
ernment been set UP through A.
council with the viceroy Indians
would have absolute control of the
situation"
I asked Sir Stafford If there still
were q chance for a settlement. He
nodded, but it wasn't hopeful ges-
ture. However, the door remains
open to acceptance OF Grips pro-