17 FEBRUARY 1939, Page 6

One of the last issues of Mr. Gandhi's paper Harijan

to reach me contains a long and interesting account of a recent meeting between Mr. Gandhi and the well-known Japanese Christian leader, Dr. Kagawa. If it is rightly reported, it placed the Japanese in a difficulty from which he failed rather conspicuously to extricate himself. For this conver- sation took place: " What is the feeling of people in Japan about the war? " " I am rather a heretic in Japan. Rather than express my views, I would like to learn from you what you would do if you were in my position." " It would be presumptuous for me to express my views." " No, I would like very much to know what you would do." " I would declare my heresies and be shot." To that Dr. Kagawa replied that he felt an inner conviction. urging him in that direction, but that his friends had been asking him to desist. Thereafter it is recorded that " Dr. Kagawa seemed to shrink from continuing this discussion "—for which I am not at all disposed to blame him.