" NON-CO-OPERATION" VOLUNTEERS IN INDIA. [To THE EDITOR Or THE
" SPECTATOR."] SIE,—May I draw the attention of your readers to a grave and dangerous development of the plans of the " Non-co-opera- tionists " in India, and the threat it offers to the lives and safety of every white in that country? It is reported that one of the extremist leaders there in a speech to a body of students urged them to join the national service as Volunteers in large numbers and " undergo a semi-military training." Mr. Gandhi has for long enough claimed that the principles of " Non-co-operation" were firmly against violence, but his lieutenants clearly do not subscribe to this doctrine, and we have had far too many instances of violence, of rioting, and looting, of attacks with sticks and stones and iron-shod clubs on officials and police. The enlisting of a " Volunteer National Force " and its " semi-military training can only be de- signed for one object, and if no steps are taken to prevent the beginning of such enlistments we may expect the native mind to conclude that the Government are too indolent or too afraid to act. The force will grow, and although It may be small and insignificant to begin with, it is hard to foresee the limits to which it may extend. If the enlistments are allowed, the forces, though unarmed to begin with, may later (and quite unofficially) arm with lathis and clubs and daggers, and later, again, officially or unofficially possess firearms. Once the prin- ciple is conceded that such a force may be enlisted the situa- tion will grow more and more dangerous, and it will be increasingly difficult to set a bound to the arming and drilling of the Volunteers.
Nothing but bloodshed can come of such "semi-military training " as is urged. Are we to allow the growth of an " Indian Republican Army " on the lines of that in Ireland? The ease is bad enough in Ireland, but if we remember the bitterness that would arise from any conflict of armed forces of whites and natives in India we cannot but imagine all the horrors of the Mutiny over again.
We have had one lesson in Ireland. Are we to wait for the infinitely more horrible results of such another experience In India? If not, the enlistment and " semi-military training " of men who are avowedly out for the disruption of the Empire must be stopped promptly and energetically, and without heed to the ignorant or weak-minded politicians who are always ready to stave off trouble by leaving well alone, until the " well " Is dangerously " ill " and infinitely more difficult to handle.—I am, Sir, &o., C. E. Hoeuss. New Oxford and Cambridge Club.
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