19 DECEMBER 1931, Page 2

Mr. Gandhi's Responsibility Meanwhile Mr. Gandhi, who ever since he

landed in Great Britain has alienated steadily the wide sympathies he commanded here, has in an interview at Rome pro. claimed a new anti-British boycott. That declaration, made in mid-journey to India, is presumably the result of more mature consideration of the Prime Minister's statement, and it contrasts conspicuously with the wise and publiespirited pronouncements made by Sir Tej Bahadur Sapru and Mr. Sastri among liberal Hindus and by most of the leading Moslem delegates. Mr. Gandhi will not achieve his ends by his chosen means. He may create chaos. Ile may dislocate the mechanism of government in certain regions. Blood, if blood be shed, will be on his head, for all his emphasis on non-violent methods. But in spite of all the process of creating an Indian Government with a responsible executive, subject to defined but temporary safeguards, will go forward. The non-co-operation policy may postpone the attainment of India's desires. Mr. Gandhi, in other words, may succeed in impeding the work he declares himself so anxious to advance. But India will gain self-government, even if it be a little later instead of a little sooner, no matter what the Indian National Congress may attempt.