Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-02-28

peoples Of other nations, who are
not fully acquainted with the history
OF what has gone before the present
agitation to realize the extent OF
the great strides already made to-
ward constitutional government"
Mrs. Eldredge herself hasn't a
DOUBT that 1ndia's future freedom
is assured. but she thinks the ques-
ton is: When is it wisest for it
to come-noW, or after the war?
The answer to this, in her opinion
can lie only with the United Nations
IN their struggle to provide the
-Four Freedoms for humanity. rather
than with any specific native groups,
however Well-intentioned.
1t is unthinkable. she believes,
that any group in the United States
should subscribe to the full theory
OF governmental incorporation
which has been the spearhead of
Gandhi and his followers, since law
and order, built on wise co-opera-
ton between individuals and their
governments, are the bulwarks of
democracy.
English Groups Praised.
What we need to realize about
the Indian situation" she SAYS, lis
that many English groups are Civ
ing themselves 100 per cent for India
IN the very best type of progressive
non-materialistic service. Similarly.
many Indian groups are co-operat-
ing Fundamentally with Great
Britain in her efforts for full in
dependence for India at the earliest
possible time after the dangers of
enemy invasion of India no longer
threaten"
Mrs. Eldredge has enjoyed the
friendship of many noted Indian
women leaders. Among them have
been the Mohammedan Begun of
JanJlra, Mrs. Rowe, the Hindu So
clal reformer; Lady Petite and Lady
Pata, leading Parsi women of Bonn
bay; Miss Cornelia Sorobii, first In
dian woman lawyer of Calcutta: Mrs
SorJlnl Nidu, the nationalist leader,
and many others, representing al
most all OF midas social and DO
litical views.
The All-India Conference of
Women, made up of representatives
from all creeds, regardless of social
position, rank or religion, which has
been meeting annually for 20 years,
Is considered by Mrs. Eldredge as
one OF the greatest humanitarian
forces in the world today. Not only
nave these Indian women graduated
from the purdah to politics, but thew
are securing reform laws and are
training their fellow Indian women
TO accept them willingly and in a
spirit OF cooperation with a new
way of life.
The efforts of the conference In
effectively bringing about all man
ner OF social and progressive re-
forms, she believes to be a symbol
OF the unity that will some dav be
possible in India.
Aided in Relief Work.
MRS. Eldredge was active in mus
lcal, social service and educational
nelos IN India. A student of voice
IN Vienna, she utilized her musical
talents by giving programs with
Inc Governors band for relief work
IN Calcutta. In this city she was
president OF the American Associa-
ton of University Women. In ad-
dlclon, she organized Red Cross
work and headed the World Fellow
ship Group of the YWCA. Her SIS
ter is Miss Ruth Woodsman, world
secretary of the YWCA, who is now
In Sweden upon a mission for that
organization.
In Bombay Mrs. Eldredge was a
member of the board of directors Of
the Girl Guides and had charge of
their athletic activities.
Mr.. and Mrs. Eldredge have T.
large library of books and pictures
pertaining TO India, including more
IMAM 1000 cartoons of Gandhi
These they have now housed in the
hrSt-hoor study of their new home
on spencer street, Rosemary Hills.
Nd, with other souvenirs of their
residence in India and their world
travels into more than 80 countries.
Mrs. Eldredge is confident that
Christianity is destined TO be a con-
Structlve force in the India of to-
morrow.
Father Was Minister.
Mrs. Eldredge's father, Harrison
Hobart Woodsmall, was an Indiana
lawyer and phllanthropist. After
ms military services in the Union
Army during the Civil War, he gave
up the practice of law, studied for
the ministry and dedicated the rest