28 FEBRUARY 1931, Page 3

The Times correspondent goes on to say that the Round

Table delegates, Sir Tej Sapru, Mr. Jayakar_ and Mr. Sastri, are optimistic, as they believe that Mr. Gandhi has "never been more open to reason" He admits, however, that this optimism is not *altogether shared by the Government. Meanwhile the Congress in accordance with its _traditional method of bargaining is putting forward fantastic claims. Its principal demand is for an "independent inquiry" into alleged excesses by the police. The correspondent says that there have been several inquiries by Provincial Governments into the alleged excesses, and that there is no need whatever for an independent inquiry which is tactically demanded by the Congress in order to humiliate the police.