[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.]
Sm,—The arrival of Sir John Simon and his colleagues at Bombay will be followed by important developments in the Indian political situation, which are bound to be watched in this country with anxious interest; The situation that will confront the Commission on their arrival at Bombay is par- ticularly puzzling inasmuch as even the Liberals have decided for a boycott. Never before was the bulk of Indian Liberals so hostile to the Government.
The left-wing Nationalists, better known as Swarajists or Non-Co-operators, would have boycotted any Commission, howsoever constituted. Their demand is for a round-table conference on an • equal status. A youthful group amongst them, cherishing the ideal of Indian freedom, took a further step this year at Madras in that a Republican Congress was held for the first time under the guidance of Mr. Jawahar Lal Nehru. Politicians of this persuasion have no use for a Statutory Commission.
The right-wing Nationalists, popularly known as Liberals, have been staunch constitutionalists throughout. Co- operation with Government for the betterment of people, according to their own lights, has been their motto. It is significant that it is this body of sober politicians which is offering an uncompromising opposition to the Simon Com- mission to-day. Non-inclusion of Indians on the Commis- sion has been keenly resented by them, although it is not quite easy to understand how an addition of two or three Indians, chosen by the bureaucracy, would not have made matters worse. Their complaint is in essence that the actions of the Go'vernment go directly against the spirit of Liberalism that characterized Mr. Montagu's regime at the India Office.
There is a third party of a recent growth. It may be called the central Nationalist block. The Responsivists, as they are called, have resorted to the " wait and see " policy in regard to the Simon Commission. If the procedure to be followed by the Commission, which Sir John Simon is expected to announce, gives the proposed Committee of the Central Legislature a status of virtual equality with the Commission, the Responsivists will cast their lot against the boycotters. In that event, there might very probably be a reshuffling of groups in various political parties of India, with the balance appreciably inclined towards helping the Simon Commission. Failing to secure equal status the Responsivists will join
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