Exit Mr Gandhi

Southland Times, Issue 24820, 12 August 1942, Page 4

Exit Mr Gandhi

IN more normal circumstances the arrest of Mr Gandhi would have been badly received in Britain. Leftwing political groups have consistently supported him in the past, and his somewhat cloudy idealism has won for him a large, miscellaneous following. London newspapers have generally approved the arrest, although regretting the need for it. And it is significant that The Daily Herald criticizes the Government’s action on the grounds that it should have been delayed until it became “an unavoidable necessity.” This is not a criticism of the deed so much as the timing. There can be little doubt, however, that the necessity already existed. Any hesitation or show of weakness could have had disastrous results. It was far better to act promptly and firmly than to risk the rapid spread of civil strife. Mi’ Gandhi may indeed be regarded as a “martyr” by many of his countrymen and supporters. But there may be little support for this view outside India. British and American people who in the past have warmly admired Mr Gandhi are now influenced by much stronger loyalties. They have had abundant proof that the British Government was ready to make all concessions short of the suicidal gesture demanded by Congress. They know that the United Nations are in one of the most difficult periods of the

war, and that any weakening of India’s defences would give the Japanese a perfect opportunity for aggression. It is not merely a question of defending India as part of the British Commonwealth. The loss of India would create a dangerous situation on the eastern front which takes in Burma, China and a great part of Russia. Many supporters of Mr Gandhi are also the friends of Russia and China. They cannot remain loyal to peoples that are fighting valiantly for their national existence if they remain faithful to the apostle of non-violence. Congress leaders may have counted on the support of influential ■democratic groups, hoping that pressure outside India would save them from arrest and internment. They have misjudged the temper of the times. Mr Gandhi may be sincere in his beliefs; he is certainly consistent. But they are beliefs that lead to surrender and slavery. His British and American friends will probably allow him to pass more silently than usual froih the stage of world politics. They are not in the mood to applaud a “martyrdom” which helps the Japanese.