The meeting of the Indian National Congress at Bel- gaum
last Saturday was important, because the issue to be decided was whether Mr. Gandhi or Mr. C. R. Das should obtain the control of policy. The pretence of agreement between the two leaders deceived nobody. It was patent that one or the other had to become master. Mr. Gandhi, of course, stands for the policy of non-co-operation ; he wants to bring about autonomy by refusing to have anything to do with the existing political system and without resorting to violence. Mr. Das, a revolutionary who both threatens and inspires violence, has been rapidly gathering power during the past two years at the expense of Mr. Gandhi. It seemed almost certain that Mr. Das would increase his authority at the Congress, and yet there was always an interesting doubt. Might there not be a sudden turn in the tide. owing to the eloquence and personality of Mr. Gandhi, who had the considerable advantage of being in the chair ? The recent three weeks' fast which Mr. Gandhi had successfully undergone as a self-imposed penance on account of the murderous riots between Hindus and Moslems added at the moment to his mystical reputation.
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