Evening star., 1943-02-22
Gandhi Passes Crisis
On 12th Day Of Fast;
Is More Cheerful
Heart Weaker, However;
Appeals for Release Of
Indian Leader Increase
By ;he Associated Press.

.
NEW DELHI, Feb. 22.-Mo-
handas K. Gandhi weathered a
crisis yesterday in the 18th day
of his 21-day fast and today, a
| government bulletin issued in
Bombay said, he appeared more
comfortable and more cheerful,
His heart, however, was weaker.
The report, signed by six doctors.
said the frail Hindu ascetic entered
the crisis at pm. yesterday
He was seized with severe nausea
and almost tainted and his pulse
became nearly imperceptible," it
said.
But later he took water and lime
Juice, rallied and slept well into the
night.
For the second time since
Gandhi's condition became alarm
ing, Chakravarthi Rajagopalachari
an Indian Congress leader, met
/ today with William Phillips. Presi-
dent Roosevelt'S envoy with am
bassadorial rank, to discuss the situ-
alton. Their first meeting last
Friday produced no tangible results
Peril to Life Stressed.
The communique followed an an
nouncement yesterday that if Gand-
hi persisted in the fast at his de-
tention quarters in the Poona palace
Of the Aga Kahn it might cost hin
his life.
But there was no hint that he
intended to abandon his fast short
Of the 2l-day goal he has set.
His heart sounds are weak anc
the volume of his pulse is small,
yesterdays bulletin said He is ex
tremely weak, so that even the swal
lowing of water eXhauStS him"
Appeals continued to pour in from
all parts of India, meanwhile, TO
release of Gandhi, who has beer
under detention since last Angus
when his All-India Congress Part,
began a civil disobedience campaign
against British rule. He began hi
fast in protest against the refusa
Of the viceroy, Lord Linlithgow
to release HIM Internationally.
Party Members Walk Out.
At Bombay, members of the Pro
gressive Party, which is the mail
opposition in the Council Of Stat
(the Upper House of the Centra
Legislature), walked out of tn
chamber as a protest against tn
policy Of the government"
The Nationalist paper, Hindustal
Times, edited by one of Gandhi'
sons, printed three columns of ap
peals for his release sponsored b
commercial associations, studen
groups, teachers and church organ
lZatiOnS.
A conference Of Indian politica
=, leaders also assembled in New Deli
, yesterday and cablcd Prime Ministe
Churchill asking Gandhi's release.
There was no hint, however. G
s any change in the position taken b
r the government One spokesman
!. pointed out yesterday that Will
! great pressure is being brought t
S bear on the government, practical
/ AN C4At iAtlH ttihNII tIlt OUNlOuS CUuIS
. Of suggesting that Gandhi himsel
is equally able to save his own Iif
by ending the fast
White Book Is Issued.
! An 86-page White Book was is
: sued by the government of Indi
- today, apparently designed to taste
! responsibility on Gandhi and tn
Congress for the violence which oc
p CURED when Gandhi was arreste
: last August g.
In support Of the government
S contention that Gandhi and Con
greSs expected violence to grow OF
, of the Indian Nationalist movemen
I the book quoted from writings
/ Gandhi before his arrest:
S Il don't want rioting as a direC
| result tof mass action. If. in spit
OF all precautions, rioting does tax
place, it cannot be helped"
The White Book disclosed that tn
two main railway systems in Easter
India had been put out of action fc
some time by sabotage.