India The sequels to the lamentable Nationalist Congress at Lahore
are not unpromising, for it seems that there will be a general readiness outside the Congress to take part in the Round Table Conference. It is something to be thankful for that in the early days of the New Year, which were awaited with the sort of apprehension which used to precede May Day whenever there were Labour 'troubles in France, have passed quietly. This was certainly not according to the Congress plan. The extrem- ists had laid their train of gunpowder, which was to be lighted at the New Year if the British Government did not surrender. Of course, Mr. Gandhi sincerely reiterated his hope that the gunpowder would do no harm—still, it was gunpowder. He had given his followers to under- stand that all was ready for a tremendous though non- violent campaign for independence at the New Year, and now several days later he is saying, as the special corres- pondent of the Times tells us, " We shall start our cam- paign as soon as we organize. We may be able to begin civil disobedience in a few months."
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