CRISIS FEARED,

Taranaki Daily News, 16 March 1922, Page 5

CRISIS FEARED,

OUTLOOK IN INDIA. PERIOD OF UNCERTAINTY. EFFECT OF ROYAL TOUR. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received March 15, 7.10 p.m. Delhi, March 14. A special Press representative with the Prince, reviewing the tour and the present position of affairs, says the arrest of Gandhi and the resignation of Mr. Montagu have overshadowed the closing scenes of the Prince’s visit. In official circles, civil and military, hope has again arisen that the Government has at last determined on a firm policy of suppression of the rebellion, the protection of loyal Indians, and sweeping away of the atmosphere of suspicion and uncertainty that is poisoning all the services. He hears on all sides such expressions as: “Wte are in for an explosion when the Prince leaves; let us get it over, clear the air, and end the uncertainty that is paralysing all official and commercial India.”

He declares that a crisis is inevitable, and urges the need for dealing firmly with the Gandhist agitation. He declares that the Prince’s tour has not influenced the political situation one way or the other, and that it is idle to assert that the Prince’s personality has been felt by the majority of the people. He has seen little or nothing of the bulk of the natives, the precautionary measures for his safety preventing free intercourse with them. It is a mistake to think that he won a single convert from the Gandhist movement.

The correspondent points out that the Prince’s passage through the Britishgoverned portion of the country was characterised by boycotts varying in extent, and by rioting in Bombay and Madras. The Prince acquitted himself in a delicate and difficult task with characteristic tact, and made a right impression on the native rulers. It has been suggested that if he had been permitted to go openly through the bazaars, even during the hartals, it would have caused a reaction of feeling in his favor on the part of the impressionable natives, who would acclaim him as u popular hero, but the writer is unable to say how far this course could be justified. The tour, however, has in no sense been a failure, and the correspondent cannot see how, under the circumstances, it could have been a greater success.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. SYMPATHY IN AFRICA. DURBAN PROTEST FAILS. Received March 16, 12.45 a.m. Capetown, March 15. An Indian Congress at Durban attempted to enforce a hartal as a mark of sympathy in connection with Gandhi’s arrest. .Stores were closed in some Indian quarters, but the Indian workers generally ignored the order. — Reuter Service.