The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times MONDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1931. THE INDIA CONFERENCE.
Tub Indian Conference has been discussing different aspects of the great problems submitted to it, and, to judge by the various opinions expressed, anything like unanimity is almost as distant as ever. The conflict of ideas regarding central and provincial authority, full independence andt Dominion status, immediate seifgoyernnmet. or gradual elevation to mil autonomous rank, is so complicated and far-reaching that it defies expression in any one formula, and it .seems probable that the Conference will close without arriving at any definite decision, How will such a
failure react upon the condition of affairs in India asks a northern paper ? At- best, it seems, the extremists wall
resort once more to civil disobedience; for other members of the Congress have appealed apparently in vain to Gandhi “not to return to the arid fields of non co-operation.” /And bis last words to' the Conference—“l want independence—there can be no solution while India is under foreign rule”— do not afford much prospect- of any peaceful means of escape from all these difficulties in the future. This suggest that if the Conference falls, it will have been at all events a personal triumph for Gandhi, and the position naturally arises whether too much importance lias not been attributed to. him or too much authority ascribed to him by British and AngloIndian. statesmen. Lord Rothermere’s recent attack upon Gandhi is expressed in needlessly crude and offensive language, but there is certainly some element of truth and justice in it. Gandhi may not be a “discredited charlatan,” but lie is certainly a “vain visionary,” and be boasts that lie is in active rebellion against the British Raj,. ..In a recent interview be ■declared: “I want responsibility at the centre, giving me control of army and finance.” He lias told the Conference- that- if lie had power he would not allow a single soldier To enter Bengal, he would not pay a farthing for the upkeep of the army, and be would convert the terrorists by peaceful suasion. The mystic idealism which is natural to Gandhi may become a very dangerous factor in so precarious a situation as exists in India to-day, though lie cannot claim to represent more than a small fraction- of the Indian people. Nevertheless, it is not- surprising on the great issues involved, that there should be a difficulty in reaching a settlement on the principles at stake. There Is naturally a. great divergence of opinion for there are so many conflicting views. The opinions expressed by the leaders of the British Government suggest that all the- interests will revive tile fairest consideration possible. It has been said rightly by the Prime Minister that the Conference. has assisted to cleat* the lajir and focus the main, questions at issue. Mr Baldwin in his latest statement leaves no doubt on the mind that Britain intends to honor all that lias been promised or implied, hut negotiations cannot be finalised quickly, and it is well that they should not be. Proceedings will develop by degrees, and it is better to hasten slowly, than to .precipitate matters and make mistakes. The whole matter is very complex, hut it should be plain to the Indian mind viewing the situation impartially, that Britain not only means to carry out the promises, hut will do so as quickly as possible. Naturally safeguards must he made where possible. That were best for India itself, and in the end it is hoped an arrangement will ho reached whach will 'he in the interests of all parties.
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Hokitika Guardian, 7 December 1931, Page 4
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606The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times MONDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1931. THE INDIA CONFERENCE. Hokitika Guardian, 7 December 1931, Page 4
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