IN INDIA

Hokitika Guardian, 29 January 1931, Page 5

IN INDIA

GANDHI’S ADVICE. A GENERAL AMNESTY. "DELHI, Jan. 28. Fear that the Indian National Congress leaders, even if they decide to call off the civil disobendience campaign, may be unable to influence the Indian masses, was expressed by Dr Gandhi in a special interview before leaving Bombay for Allahabad. Dr Gandhi stated that he did not think that the release of the leaders was sufficient, and until all of the Congressmen now in gaol were free there was little likelihood of any definite action being taken.

GANDHI INTERVIEWED.

DELHI, January 28

Although Gandhi' came out of gaol, 80 he says, with an absolute! open mind, he does not‘seem to be repentant.

Interviewed, he said; “The mere release of the Congress Working Committee makes a difficult situation more difficult. All political prisoners should be released. No amount of goodwill established between Britain and India will reconcile the public to the drink e\il the foreign cloth evil and the prohibition of the manufacture of salt.

Speaking for myself 1 am hankering for peace if it can be had with honour, hut even if I stood alone, J. could be no party to a peace which does not .satisfactorily solve these three questions.

ENGLISH PRESS COMMENT. RUGBY, Jan. 27. The I! Manchester Guardian,” commenting on the Viceroy’s action, believes that “the freeing of Ghandhi will encourage the moderate elements jn the Congress. It is a gesture of goodwill and a break with the unhappy past. It suggests that, as a result of the Conference, a new situation has arisen. Tip to now, following the wise advice of Sir Tej Bahadur Sapru, Mr Sastri and some others, the Congress has not committed itself in regard to Mr MacDonald’s statement, and the present thoughtful silence, is at least hopeful.’’ The “Daily News ” saysAs all intelligent well-wishers of India, we will earnestly hope that those released will seize the opportunity offered them. There can be no doubt that a general amnesty., will follow. The bold step already taken is n guarantee of that.”

FURTHER PRESS COMMENT. RUBGY. Jan. 28. The “ Daily Mail ” condemns the Viceroy’s action, for which, it says, there is not a shadow of justification in view of the extremely grave conditions in India. The “ Morning Post ” doubts the' wisdom of the experiment. Thre- “ Daily Telegraph ” sa V s that while there is no assurance whatever that events will, take the course hoped for by the Viceroy, some reliance has jio doubt been placed on tbe favourable reception of the outcome of the ■Conference by Indian parties and interests, apart from the Congress, and also on the desire of a section of the Congress for the abandonment of non-co-operation and on the fact that the .demands of the Congress, as they stood ■eighteen months ago are very largely •met by what has now been tentatively •proposed. The measure noiv announc,ed,” it says, “is in the dubious category of those which can he justified by success.”