[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.]
Sia,—Your sympathy with the aspirations of political India has rightly earned the gratitude of Indians. But, candidly speaking, the tragedy is that not even the sympathetically inclined of the British politicians and journalists show a readi- ness to ,go far enough to face the realities of the situation. The Britisher must now vigorously search his heart. The time for swearing by high ideals and noble professions has gone. He is now faced in India by a disillusioned people who refuse to count mere words for anything. If he is prepared to con- cede the right of Indians to govern themselves, let him know that all the ingenuities of his agents in this country to prove that Indians are not fit for self-government are trash. They are as fit as any people in the world. No Indian entrusted with a responsible position has so far failed to acquit himself creditably. The British disarmed the Indian Nation, which until re- cently produced warriors like Ranjit Singh and Shivaji, and now have the barefacedness to plead that for want of an Indian Army India cannot have Dominion Status. When public opinion clamoured, they appointed a Committee of Experts. This Committeee (known as Skeen Committee) made certain
elementary -recommendations to increase Indian element in the Army, Their report, however, was shelved !
Another high-sounding argument which is urged against India's demand is that the electorates have not been suffi- ciently educated. Now if after 150 years of British rule edu- cation is at a low ebb, surely it proves the unfitness of the British to rule India, and not of the Indians. Indian Education Ministers have,.indeed, given much better account of themselves during. recent years in spite of the paucity of the funds placed at their disposal by the " Reserved " masters of the Provincial Governments. It is not an extremist but a quintessence of moderation—Sir Tej Bahadur Sapru, ex-Member of Lord Reading's Government—who has said " To postpone the establishment of full Responsible Govern- ment in this country until the electorates have been thoroughly educated may, and will, amount to waiting indefinitely, and the dangers in this policy of procrastination will by no means be less great than the risks which a policy of courage must necessarily involve."
The " problem of the Indian States " is no problem. The Indian Princes, while rightly claiming internal autonomy for their States, have again and again given expression to " their natural desire as Indians to see their Motherland rise to her full stature of Nationhood," to quote the Maharajah of Bikaner ; and to quote that leading Prince again " nothing is further from their desire than to break up the country into two discordant halves warring against each other in fratri- cidal feuds," and " I look forward to the day when a United India will be enjoying Dominion Status under the tegis of the King-Emperor."
The old superstition that India is not a Nation already stands condemned. The cultural unity of India is any day deeper than the political unity of many nations, and India is now also evolving political unity.
Lord Irwin has so far done very well. He has also not arrested Gandhi. This is indeed refreshing, after over a decade of " the worst type of Imperialistri (having been) in the ascendant " since the fall of Mr. MOntigu—to quote an- either quintessence of moderation inindia, the Rt. Hon: V.'S. SrinivaSa Shastri. But quick and bold—positive—action Is the need of the hour. If you have to give something, why not give it gracefully ? Even the most maderate of Indian politicking are insistent on full Donainioh Self-Government, of course, with necessary safeguards, to which even Gandhi does not object.
If the British Government mean business, why cannot they announce this objective forthwith ? The Simon Report is still be to be published ; yes, but if the whole case of the Government were to be based on that Report; there is no hope for India and for Great Britain. Indian public opinion Will have nothing to do with the recommendations of the Simon Commislicifi as Such, nor will it any indre"put up with a little tinkering here and there.
May the British nation be guided wisely, and may it choose to win the gratitude" of India by treating her as a Sister ! It is not yet too late ; but it does seem to be getting too late if the present opportunity is allowed to slip by under false fears and false eXpectatiOns.--L1 am, Sir, &c., AN rNDIAN WHO STANDS FOR THE BRITISH CONNEXION: [This letter has been shortened for reasons of -space.:—En. Spectator.]
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