The Auckland Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News and The Sun. TUESDAY, JULY 28, 1942. GANDHI AND INDIA'S DANGER

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 176, 28 July 1942, Page 4

The Auckland Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News and The Sun. TUESDAY, JULY 28, 1942. GANDHI AND INDIA'S DANGER

Sir Stallord ( ri[>i>s had failed to persuade India's political representatives to acrcpt the British Government's offer—complete self-government, under a constitution of the Indians' own framing, after the war—the opinion was widely expressed that the offer and the negotiations had cleared the air, and that though high hopes had been disappointed at least there had been no retrogression. In the light of Mahatma Gandhi's threat to launch a mass campaign of civil disobedience, with the object of forcing the British to relinquish the government of India, that, opinion now seems too optimistic. Gandhi's threat has produced n situation in which Sir Stafford Cripps, himself a strong sympathiser with India's self-government aspirations, has broadcast a solemn warning that the British Government will not allow anyone to throw open the door to the advance of our enemies." It is much to De hoped that the British Government will act consistently in support V t' S v^ a, " Before all the world it has made a supreme effort to enable the Indian political leaders to gain their ends. It failed, not because its offer was unworthy of acceptance, but because the Congress party wanted power for itself, without delay, and because the Moslems ano the other minorities deeply feared for the security of their own political social and economic rights under a Congress-dominated Government. This attitude of the Moslems and others is unchanged to-day - it "Would not he relaxed, but it would be stiffened, if there appeared a clanger that what the Congress party could not gain in negotiation it rnight pain by a disobedience campaign. The only course before the government of India now is to govern. Further attempts to appease rT ' <> n(i the Congress would be exceedingly dangerous in the light of trie external situation.

~ ~ Cn " flhl - 1 ? vu ' w ' the sincerity of which need not be doubted, is that If the British went and the Japanese came—as they would—they would tlie "m^iVh!" UI , ; might that could be mustered." Presumably nver "i! , vv<,Lll<l 1,(1 <>' the non-violent kind, and it is possible that ov< i ,i long tei m ot years the Japanese would find the task of governing ! 1 "" 1 than the British have found it. But in the short £-,iL i undoubtedly discover a set of Quislings willing to be cal (1 a Government, and whether or not they were able to exploit Ere it effort' whiV 'V i — purposes tht ' v vvoul(l effectually destroy the '. or , l yyhuh India is putting forth in the cause of the I'nited of thf"wnri") r a ' 'T Sir - StafT /' rrl Cri PP s has pointed out, is a vital part hLt it i I .against the Axis, and it must be preserved as a safe base. It is true that since their conquest of Burma the Japanese have given no sign that they are preparing an offensive against India The monsoon weather is against them. But it may well be that busvine themselves elsewhere, they will be content to wait in Burma until circumstances are more favourable. And circumstances will certainlv f<ivour them if, while they wait, Gandhi and the Congress party cause ifm amongst themselves and against British rule instead ot presenting a united front, to their common enemy. That is the danger which overhangs India, and we may he glad that the British Government Worse determination not to allow a bad situation to be made