The Pioneer Mail, of January 20th, contains a striking letter
in which Sir Sankaran Nair, one of the moderate Indian Nation- alist leaders, explained why he left the recent conference between the moderate men and Mr. Gandhi. The "Mahatma," he said, deliberately put forward impossible demands. Thus Mr. Gandhi insisted that the Government should "show penitence" by releasing all " political " prisoners. Further, Sir Michael O'Dwyer, General Dyer and others must be deprived of their pensions. Great Britain must evacuate Egypt and France must give up Syria. Full "Dominion status" must be given at once to India. Such proposals showed that Mr. Gandhi had no real wish to come to terms with the Government. Sir Sankaran Nair pointed out that "non-co-operation," owing to the "culpable weakness" of the late Viceroy. had led to much bloodshed, but had failed to give India " Swaraj " or Home Rule by the end of last year, as Mr. Gandhi had promised. Many sober Indian politicians doubtless share Sir Sankaran Nair's views, though they are not so courageous as he is in saying what they think about Mr. Gana hi.
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