K~GANDH1 A SKETCH OF HI8 LIFE AND WORK, —— HE scene is Jaid in Johannesburg. Summer is coming, and the daya are lengthen- ing out. At Park Station, at o'clock a Sunday evening in September, 1908, hilet it was still broad daylight, a small, timated group of dark-skinued people might ive bean observed engerly looking in the ‘ection from which the mail train from Natal, stops at Volksrust, was expected. The bers were Madrassi hawkers, who were, rently, uwaiting the arrival of one who was fe tionutely regarded by them, Punctually to » the train steamed in, and there was rved, descending from a second-class partment, attended by a prison-warder uniforto, a small, slim, dark, active man, h calm eyes and a serene ccuntenance. » was clad in the garb of a South African sive convict—small military cap, that did not stect from the sun, loose, coarse jacket, bear_2 A SKETCH OF HIS LIFE AND WORK. ing a numbered ticket, and marked with the bro: arrow, short trousers, one leg dark, the oti light, similarly marked, thick grey woollen soc and leather sandals. But it was plain that he w not a South Afri native, and upon closer ser tiny, one became aware that he, too, was an India like these who respectfully saluted him, a 1 turned quietly to the warder for instructions, was carrying a white canvas bag, which held i clothing and other effects found upon him whi he was received by the gacl authorities, an, also a small basket containing books. H, had been sent by the Government to trave nearly ,two hundred miles, for many hours without food or the means of procuring it as the warder had no funds for that purpose and but for the charity of & friend, he would have had to starve for twenty-four hours. A bri/! consultation ensued between the prisoner ari the warder. The latter appeared to realise tll incongruity of the sitnation, for he bore himse towards the prisoner with every reasonable mar! of respect. The lntter was evidently a person sorne importance, to whom a considerable amoun of deference should be shown. The subject o: conversation was as to whether the prisoner pre{M. K. GANDHI. 3 i ferred to go by cab or to walk to the gaol. If the, 4 former, he (the prisoner) would have to pay for it— { He, however, declined the easier method of loco- 1 motion, choosing to walk three-quarters of a mile 1 in broad daylight, in his convict suit, to the gaol, and resolutely shouldering his bag, he brisk- ly stepped out, the Madrassi hawkers shame- facedly following at some distance. Tater, he disappeared within the grim portals of the Johan- nesburg gaol, above which is carved, in Dutch, the motto, “ Union makes strength.” A few months later, thesame small, slim, dark man, looking much thinner and more haggard, but with the same calm eyes and the same serene countenance, might have been observed, marching, handcuffed, through the public streets of Pretoria in charge of a prison-warder in uniform, for all the world to see and stare at, cn his way from the local prison to the Magistrate’s Court, to give evidence. This time, however, ho was in ordinary civil dress, for it is contrary to regulations to bring a prisoner into Court dressed in the convict’s garb. Ho wasat once recognised by a small throng of excited Indians grouped around the courtyard entrance. The man was Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, Dewan’r son, bavister-at-law, scholar, stud-4 A SKETCH OF HIS LIFE AND WORK. ent, cultured Indian gentleman, and Jeader of his people. Because he preferred to obey the dictates of conscience, because he placed honour before com- fort or even life itself, because he chose not to accept an insult to his Motherland, because he strove so that right should prevail and that his people might have life, a civilised, Christian Gov- ernment, in a Colony over which the British flag waved, deemed that the best way to overcome such dangerous contumacy was to cast his body into gaol, where he became a nutnber and was compelled to herd with and starve upon the diet of the most degraded aboriginal native felons, men barely emerging from the condition of brute- beasts, or, rather, with all their human aspira- tions and instincts crushed out of them by the trentment accorded té them by virtye of the “‘civilising” process of the Transvaal’s colour legislation. Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born on the 2nd October, 1869, and is thus just over 40 years of nge. Though he has a Brahmir’s spirituality and desire to serve and _ teach, he is not a Brahmin. Though he has a Kehatri-+ ya’s courage and devotion, he is nota Keshatriya, He belongs to an old Bania family resident.M. K. GANDHI. 5 in Kathiawar, politics being a heritage of the family. His forefathers were Dewans of the State of Porbandar in that Province, his father having been Dewan of thnt State for 25 years, as also of Rajkote and other States in Kathiawar. He was likewise, atone time, a member of the Rajasthanik Sabha, having beon nominated there- to by the Government of Bombay. Mr. Gandhi's father was known to and loved by all with whom he came in coninct, and he did not hesitate, if the need came, to oppose the will of the Rana of Porbandar and of the Political Agent, when he thought that they were adopting a wrong or un- worthy line of conduct. That particular trait has evidently descended to his youngest son. Mr. Gacdhi’s mother was an orthodox Hindu lady, rigid in her observance of religious obligutions, strict in the performance of her duties as wife and mother, and stern in her determination that her children should grow up good and honest men and women, Between her youngest son and herself existed a strong affection, and ber religious example and influence left a lasting im- pression upon his character. Mohandas Gandhi received his education partly in Kathiawar and partly in London. It was only with the greatest6 A SKETCH OF HIS LiFE AND WOKK. difficulty that his :nother could be prevailed upon to consent to his crossing the waters, ard before doing so, she exacted from him a threefold vow, administered by a Jain priest, that he would abstain from flesh, slcohol, and women. And thie vow was faithfully and whole-heartedly kept amidat all the temptations of student life in London. Young Gandhi became an undergraduate of London University and afterwards joined the Inner Temple, from which he emerged, in due course, a barrister-at-law. He returned to India immediately after his call, and was at once ndmite ted as un advocate of the Bon.tuy High Court, in which capacity he begun practice with some success, In 1893, Mr. Gandhi was induced to go to South Africa, proceeding to Nutal and then to the Transvaal, in connection with xn Indian legal case of some difficulty. Almost immediately npon Innd- ing at Durban, disillusionment awaited him. Brought up in British traditions of the equality of all British subjects, an hunoured guest in the capitnl of the Empire, he found that in the Bri- tish Colony of Natal he was regarded as x parinhy scarcely higher than a savage aboriginal native of the soil. He applied for admission as an advocate of the Supreme Court of Natal, but his applica-M. K. GANDHI. 7 tion was opposed by the Law Society, on the ground that it was not contemplated in the law that a coloured person should be admitted to practice. Fortunately, the Supreme Court viewed the matter in e different light and granted the appli- cation. But Mr, Gandhi received sudden warning of whatawaited him in the years to come. In 1894, on the urgent invitation of the Natal Indian community, Mr. Gandhi decided to remain in the Colony, especially in order that he might be of service in the political troubles that he foresaw in the near future. In that yenr, together with a nuraber of prominent members of the communi- ty, he founded the Natal Indian Congress, of which he was, for some years, honorary secretary, in which capacity ho drafted a number of petitions and memorials admirable in construction, lucid and simple in phraseology, cloar and concise in the manuer of setting forth the subject-matter. He touk a leading part in the successful attempt to defeat the Asiatics’ Exclusion Act pnssed by the Natal Purliament and in the — un- successful one to prevent the disfranchisement of the Indian community, though the effort made induced the Imperial authorities to insist that8 A SKETCH OF HIS LIVE AND WORK, this disfranchisement should be effected long non-racial lines. At the end of 1895, he return- ed to India, being authorised by the Natal and Transvaal Indians to represent their grievances to the Indian public. This he did by means of addresses and a pamphlet, the mutilated contents of which were summuarired by Reuter and cabled to Natal, where they evoked a furious protest on the part of the European colonists, ‘Tho tele ran thus: “A pamphlet published in India de- clares that the Indians in Natal are robbed, and assaulted, and treated like beasts, and are unable to obtain redress. The 7'imes of Jndia advocates an enquiry into these allegations.” This mestage was certainly not the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, though it had elements of truth in it. Abont the RAMIe time, Mr. Gandhi returned to Durban with his family, and with him, though independently of him, travelled several compatriote, The rumour arose that he was bringing with him a number of skilled Indian workers with the express object of ousting the European artisans from the field of employment, and the two circumstances combined to stimulate in the colonists, high and low alike, all the worst passions, and feeling rose so high»M. K. GANDHI. 9 that the Attorney-General, Mr, Exscomnbe, felt Limself obliged to side with the popular party, and accordingly gave instructions that the vessels bring- og Mr, Gandhi and his conpanions should be de- ained in quarantine. The quarantine was only -aised when the ship-owners announced their in- tention of taking legal action againat the Govern- ment, The vessels now came alongside the wharf, but the crowd that assembled became so hostile that a police inspector, who came on board, warn- ed Mr. Gandhi of his own personal danger if he landed then, and urged him to delay the landing until wight. A little liter, however, a well-known membec of the Natal Bar came on board specially to greet Mr. Gandhi and offer his services, and Mr. Gandhi at ence determined to land, without waiting for darkness to come, trusting, ax he him- self expressed it, to the British sense of justice and fair play. He was soon recognised, however, set upon and half-killed, when the wife of the Superintendent of Police, who recognised him, ran to his rescue, and raising her umbrella over him, defied the crowd, and accompanied him to the store of an Indian friend. Mr. Gandhi was, however: in order to save his friend’s property, obliged to zseape disguised as a police constable.10 A SKETCH OF HIS LIFE AND WORK, The affair was at an end, popular paasions calme down, and the newspapera apologised to him though the incident demonstrated the temper of the mob towards the resident Indian community Years afterwards, moetiny Mr. Gandhi one day, Mr. Excombe expressed profound regret at his connexion with this unsavoury business, declaring that, at the time, he was unacquainted with Mr. Gundhi's personal merits and those of the community to which he belonged. Hu f-an-hour later he was found dead in the streets, struck dawn by heart-disease. In 1899, at the outbreak of the Anglo- Boer War, Mr. Gandhi, after considerable opposition, induced the Government to accept the offer of an Indian Ambulance Corps. The Corpa was one thousand strong, and saw active service, being on one occasion, at least, under heavy fire, and on another, removing the dead body of Lord Robert's only son from the field. Ths Corps was favour- ably reported on, and Mr. Gandhi was mentioned in despatches, afterwards receiving the war medal, His object in offering the services cf a body of Indians to do even the most menial work was to show that the Indian community desired to tuke their full share of public responsibilities,M. K. GANDHI. 1k nd that just as they knew how to demand ‘frights, 80 they also knew how to assume obliga- ions. And that has been the keynota of Mr. ‘Gandhi's public work from the beginning. | In 1901, owing to n breakdown in health, Mr. "Gandhi went to India, taking his family with him. Before he wont, however, the Natal Indian com- munity presented him, Mrs. Gandhi, and his children with valuable gold plate and jewellery. He refused, however, to accept a single item of this munificent gift, putting it on one side to be used for public purposes, should the need arise. The incident but endear- ‘ed him the more to the people, who realised once again how selfless was the work that he had so- modestly and unaxsumingly undertaken, Before tthe Ambulance Corps left for the front its mem- Jers hn “veen publicly entertained by the late Sir John Robinson, then Prime Minister of Natal, and on ths occasion of the presentation to Mr. Gandhi by the Indian community, he addressed a letter to the organisers of the ceremony, in which, efter excusing his unavoidable atsence Ihe suid: ‘' It would have given me great plea- ure to have been present on the occasion of so ell-earned a mark of respect to our able an@12 A SKETCH OF HIS LIFE AND WOKK distinguished fellow-citizen, Mr. Gandhi. wees. Not the less heartily do [ wish all cess to this public recognition of the work done and the many services rer to the community by Mr, Gandhi.” On his arrival in Bouwbay, Mr. Gandb more resumed practice, as he then had no tion of returning to South Africa, believing with the end of the war, a new cra had ar Searcely, however, had he returned fron Calcutta Congr under Mr. Wact did some very useful organising work, une wher sively, when he received an urgent telegram Natal, calling him peremptorily back to | Af lain, whose visit was imminent, to tuke cha ‘a to draft the memorials to Mr. Char the work required to secure the removal of ing grievances, and to place Indian affatrs fi on a higher level. Withouta moment's hr tion, he obeyed the call, and n new chapter « ed in his life. In Natal, he had heen able to come official prejudice, and wan high in the ¢ of all those Heads of Departments and Min with whom his public duties brought him contact, But whon, after heading a deput to Mr. Chamberlain in Natal, he was called tM. K. GANDHI. 13. ‘ransvaal for ® similar purpose, he found all SUC JE ficialdom hostile, and he was refused the right 8000 he attend upon Mr. Chamberlain as a member of ered deputation of ‘Tranavaul Indiana; and it was nly after tie utmost endeavours that he prevailed Onc oon the Indian community to send n deputation iten- . hat did not include him. Finding that the situa- ? shat, ion wax hecoming rapidly worse, and being with- ved. ‘out a trained guide, the Transvaal Indians pressed him to remain with them and this he at last con- sented to do, being admitted to practiseas an attorney of the Supreme Ccurt of the Transvaal. In 1903, together with other communal leaders, he founded the Transvaal British Indian Association, of which he lias been, ever since, the honorary secretary and principal legal adviser. In 1994, an outbreak of plague occurred in the Indian Location, Johannesburg, largely owing to gross negligence on the part of the { Municipal authorities in spite of repeated warn- er" Tings. A week before the official announcement ‘6M 8 Gf the outbrenk, Mr. Gandhi sent a final warn- ters ing that plague had already broken out, but his nto#l ctatement was officially denied. When, however, ra n public admission of the existence of plague | could no longer be withheld, he at once organised14 A SKETCH OF HIS LIFE AND WoRI a private hospital and nursing home, and, t+ with afew devoted friends, personally tenc plague patients : and this’ work wna fc appreciated by the Municipal authorities, same year, owing to arbitration proceedit tween expropriated Indian stand-holders Location and the Johannesburg Manicipali which he was bu-ily engaged, he carned professional fees, which he afterwards deve their entirety to public purposes. About the middle of 1903, the though struck him that, if the South Afiicun Jr were brought into closer association with other and with their European f+-llow-colr and were to be politically ond socially edu it war absolutely necessary to have a news and, after consultation, he provided the gt part of the capital for its inauguration, with V. Madanjit as proprietor and printer, ani lute Mr. M. H. Nazar, as editor, and thas J1 Opinion was born. It was fi English, Gujarati, Hindi, and Ts For ‘ous reasons, it afterwards bec: necessary dispense with the Tamil and Hindi columns. although Mr. Gandhi, had, in theory deleg much of the work of conducting the pape {publishesM. K. GANDHI. 15 ether (thers, he was unremitting in his own efforts althegP make it a success. His purse was ever open mnke good the deficits that continually occurred, mally ing to the circumstances of its production, nthe is bedged to its English and Gujarati columns he con- er ibuted month after month and year after year, t of the fund of his own political and spiritual 7, ind : iil pWitdom and his unique knowledge of South re fricau Indion affairs, ‘doin Towards the end of 1904, however, finding that @ paper was atsorbing all the money that could had iangP® SPared, without making any apprecinble finan- cach Rial headway, he went to Durban to investigate e situation. During the journey, he became ab- rbed in the perusal of Ruskin's “ Unto this st,” and he received certain impressions that ere confirmed whilst on a visit to some relatives vho had started a trading enterprise in an up- untry village. His conclusions were that the wn conditions in which the paper was produced ere such as almost to compel unlimited waste, to t as a check upon the originality and individual- yy of the workers, and to prevent the realisation to his dearest desire, to so infuse the columne of the 3ut if tea W°PeF with a spirit of tolerance and persuasiveness Br to bring together all that wns best in the Euro-16 A SKETCH OF HIS LIFE AND Wor pean and Indian communities whose fate i dwell side by sde, & Ler mutually hestil suspicious of each other, or amicahly « in the sec buildin Accordingly, be determingd that the ver ugoof the welfare of the -up of wh wire administration of it thing to be done was to putoun en divorce of the workers fiom the land, av this dete arose What has since Settlement, Ph North Coast Railway of about 12 miles from Durban, in the ou known as the situated near th sugar-growing country, and Mr, Ganchi it his savings in the purchase of an estate of 100 seres of Jand about two miles dis the station, on which were erected the press ings and machinery, A number of s ; Boe ° Indians and Eurepeans were invited to | settlers a ud the conditions were these-- tha should have entire management of all the of the press, including the land itself ; tha should practically vow himself to x life of ps accepting no more than £3 (Rs. 45) pers expenses being high in South Africs, ar equal share in the profits, if any; that » should be built for him, fer which he shoulM. K. GANDHI. 17 “as toffien able,and in whatever instalments might to over suitablo to him, without interest ; that he tatingould have two acres of Jand as his own, for thelfultivation, payment being on similar conditions, \socts ind that he should devote himself to working for firsthe public good, Jxdian Opinion being mean- » thdwbile the mainspring of the work, Latterly, the fion,Phoenix settlers have extended the scope of veonetheir labours, and have now definitely undertaken nix isbhe task of educating as many as_ possible “pf the children of the Inakb-and-a-half of dians in South Africa. It is true that, comparison with the magnitude of the kk, but a small beginning has been made, but is is principally due to the lack of available orkers and also to the state of the exchequer, hich suffers from the general improverishment the Indian community, owing to the drain of any years’ struggle to stave off ruin at the hands f their European fellow-colonists. Mr. Gandhi ja anxious that the education given at Phenix, hich will be entirely free, should result in he building up of character, the directing of he minds of the students into healthier channels f thought than those of Western materialism, nd the creation of men and women who, sooner 218 A SKETCH OF HIS LIFE AND WORI or Jater, will te available for national He believes that every boy and girl tra Phunix should ie an asset of permanent to India and to South Africa. For his pat is very practical. He realises that no natior apart from the individuals whe compose that, accordingly, the first duty is to cree individuals, who, themselves will craate the In 190€, a native rebellion broke out in due to many causes, but realising that blo was imminent, end that hospital work would sarily ensue therefrom, Mr. Gandhi offere behalf of the Natal Indians, a Stretcher: Corps, which, after some delay, was accepted. while, he had sent his family to Phenix, he thought it was most proper that they five, rmther than in the dirt, noise, and rt ness of the town. Le himself votunteer lend the Corps, which was on active servi a month, being mentioned in despatches an: licly congratutated and thanked by the Go for the valuable services rendered. Each m of the Corps has had awarded to him the specially struck for the occasion, and, as an cation of the manner in which the Transva precintes the work so selflessly performed bM. K. GANDHI. 19 dhi and his Corps, it may be ncted that, ether with at least three other members the Corps, as well as some who belonged to otis helped to fit out the old Ambulance Corps, axist: has been flung into gaol, to associate with » and#minala of the lowest type. The work of 8 th Corps, was, besides that of carrying stret- Stateffers and marching on foot behind Mounted iatal MB fantry, through dense bush, sometimes thirty ishediiles ai day, in tho midst of a savage my’s country, unarmed and unprotected, to rform tho taxk of hospital assistants, and to rse the wounded natives, who had been cal- usly shot down by the colonial troopers, or ho had been cruelly lashed by military com- and. Mr. Gandhi does uot like to speak his ind about what hesaw oz learnt on this occa- in. But many times he oust have had search- gs of conscience as to the propriety cf his lying himself, even in that merciful capacity, ith those capable of such acts of revolting and excusable brutality. However, it is well to now that nearly all his solicitude was exercised behalf of aboriginal native patients, and one w the Dewan’s son ministering to the is and allaying the sufferings of some20 ‘A SKETCH OF HIS LIFE AND WO! of the most undeveloped types of hr whose odour, habits, and surroundings m been extremely repulsive to a man of mind-—though Mr. Gandhi himself will 1 this. Scareely had he returned to Johan to resume practice (he had left his « lvok after itself during his absence), thunderbolt was launched by the Transva ernment, in the shape of the promulgatio: Draft Asiatic Law Amendment Ordinance terms are now familiar througbout the lenj breadth of India. After years of ] and scheming, the «anti-Asiatics of the vanl, having first secured the services of an administration anxious an excuse for the continuation of it existence, compelled the capitulation executive itself, with the afore-mentioned Mr. Gandhi at once realised what was afo understood immediately that, unless the community adopted a decided attitude of ¢ which would be backed up, if necessary, b; lute action, the whole Indian population of Africa was doomed, and he accordingly took sel with the leading members of the commM. K. GANDHI. 21 aanity§o agreed that the measure must be fought to bitter end. There is no doubt that Mr- dhi is mainly responsible for the initia- of the policy of passive resistance that has n so successfully carried out by the Transveal asburgidians during the last three years. Since that e, Mr. Gandhi’s history has been that of han ge Transvaal atruggle. All know how he took | Govje oath nct to submit to the Law onthe 11th of théptember, 1906; how he went to England with wh y. H. O. Ally, in the same year, and bow their orous pleading induced Lord Elgin to suspend the ration of the objectionable legislation; how, when e law finally recvived the Royal assent, he threw mself in the forefront, of the fight, and by h, pen, and example, inspired the whole munity to maintain an adamantine front attack that was being made upon the very undations of its religion, its national honour» racial self-sespect, its manhood. No one was erefore, surprised when, at the end of 1907, r, Gandhi was arrested, together with a number other leaders, and consigned to gaol; or yw, when he heard that some of his friends Pretorin had been sentenced to six months’ ‘prisonment with hard labour, the maxi-22 4 SKETOH OF HIS LIFE AND Wi mum penalty, he pleaded with the trate to impose this penalty upon ashe bad been the acknowledged les inspirer of the opposition againat this 1 him it wes a terrible shock that his were being more harshly treated than he and it was with bowed head and deep hui that he left the Oourt, sentenced to two simple imprisonment only. Happily, the ment reslised the seriousness of the situat * after three weeks’ imprisonment of the passive resisters, General Smuts negotiations with them, and a com was effected between him and the Indie munity, partly written, partly verbal, .by voluntary registration, which bad | peatedly offered, was accepted, vonditional the Law being subsequently repealed. T mise of repeal was made personally Gandhi by ‘General Smuts, in the pres official witnesses. When, shortly afterwar Gandhi was nearly killed by a number more fanatical fellow-countrymen (who t he had betrayed them to the Government, was on his way to the Registration Office t out hie pledge to the Government, he isik. M. K. GANDBI. 23 to the Indian community in which he iim toogitely declared “that promise of repsal had made, Goneral Smuts did not attempt to ral months later. All who are acquainted the two men, either personally or by ute, have no diffculty in deciding which raion of the settlement they will accept, and no ie war, therefore, astonished to find Mr. Gandhi arging General Smuts with deliberate breach of on, ani eadingfith, and absvlutely refusing to compromise him- open If or the community that he represented, by ac- romisgePting further legislations that would, in the d, have still further degraded the Indians of uth Africs. Having convinced the leaders that ch neceptance on their part was impossible, the vuggle recommenced, nnd hax, owing to the non- ecess OF the negotiations undertaken by the re- nt deputation tu England, consisting of Messrs. andhi aud Hajee Habib, continued to this day. nee o} 4 Mc If there is one charscteristic more than of hig§vother that stamps Mr. Gandhi as a man mongst men, it is his extraordinary love f truth. His search for it ia the one passion of jis life, nnd every action of his indicates the jevotee of this uaually distaut shrine. What-24 a SKETCH OF HIS LIFE AND WO ever he says, even those most hostile to hesitatingly believe, as being the truth 1 he ‘is aware of it, and be will not he retract, publicly and immediately, anythi he may have unwittingly declared to be but which he afterwards finds tobe unwa: His political opponents admit unquestionin, every action of his is prompted only by t. . conscientious and impersonal motives; indeed is any criticism raised against h “faith or honesty of purpose—and suck cisms he completely ignores. In his practice, he is highly regarded by his i practitioners, as being an able lawy: an honourable colleague or opponent, and : trates and Judges alike pay careful attent any case that Mr. Gandhi advocates, realisin it has intrinsic merits‘or that he sincerely be that it has. He has been known to retire acase in open Court, and in the middle o hearing, baving realised that his client had d: ed him, and he never takes up a case exce the express understanding that he reservi himeelf the right to withdraw ot any stage : feels that his client hes not dealt honestly him, ‘Ke Me K. GANDHI. 25° im un- #fis self-suppression and courtesy are universal -* far as gnised and ‘appreciated. He has scarcély’ tate toffr been known to give angry expression to his g thet ings, and then only when moved by a se of righteous indignation, He has er, during the whole course of ° his’ lic career, condescended to the use of the rage politician's dictionary of invective, and his rtesy towards GBponents arises from his desire 1 ability to place himself in their position before acking it. It waa this characteristic, more n anything else, that drew from the Natal proury, the principal newspaper inthe Colony, ant following protest on the occasion of Mr. agis- kndbi’s being marched along the public thorough- n to fres of Pretoria, manncled like a common thief a ranaway slave :— ““We muy express what we beliove to be tho naral regret of the Natal public that certain ansvaal officials should have thought it neces’ eiv- gry the other day to subject Mr. Gandhi to the son {Mdignity of handeuffing while being walked to ugh the streets to give evidence....Mr. he @$udhi is at least a political prisoner, and as such’ ‘ith rves better treatment than that measured out debazed criminals. A regulation that subjecta:26 0 A SKETCH OF HIS LIFE, AND Wi any man, no matter what the charge agi to such treatment is monstrous.” His generosity is proverbial. He hb issued a formal demand for payment due to him, conceiving that hia debtor, if man, will pay when he can, and if a diet will not be made the more honest by t legal compulsion. Indeed, in bis ever he vindicates his hostility to the doctri: and nis abiding affection for that of rule of life. When he was nearly don by o fanatical Pathan, in 1908, he refused to charge his assailant or to giv against him. He preferred to conqut love, and succeeded, for, early this Pathan who had been deported to Inc he atardily refused to comply with the Law, addressed a letter to Mr. Gandh he assured the latter that all his sympi with him, and he would do what he co the cause. Mr. Gandhi’s senae of public duty it Just before hia first arrest, he receiver that his youngest child was doxperate he was asked to go to Phenix at once ed to save him, He refused, sayinM. K. GANDHI, 27 ter duty lay in Johannesburg, where the igcommunity hed need of him, and his child's life jor death muet be left in God’s hands. Similarly, vest nano pay his fineand so become free to nurse her, » use oligain he refused, declining to be bound by pri- action,te tier, when such action would probably reault ve as agy xnd the inspiration. And although, after release and his subsequent re-arrest, he could secured indefinite postponement of the hear- as he heard that the Transvaal Government anxious to see him back again in gaol, he ned’to the Transvaal from Natal, leaving: andhi, for aught he knew to the contrary, deathbed. His eldest son has been in gaol sive resister for many months, and now jandhi has taken his second son, a lad of 17 ito the Transvanl, in order that he, toa, may ‘hrough the hard discipline of prison-life. @ is a devoted husband and father, end- nsely attached to children. Indeed, he in ene) hies we! @ to help profound. | the news28 A SKETCH OF HI8 LIFE AND WORK. is never happier than when with little children... His sense of duty was never mors strikingly demonstrated than when he set out, on thatt, fateful morning in February, 1908, to fulfil higt pledge to the Government of the Colony that, he would undertake wluntary registration, He knew that, owing to a misunderstanding, whiel even his lucidity and porsuasiveness could nota, overcome, a small section of the community hace, been rendered hitterly hostile to him, anda, that his future assailant was at that time ind his office and waiting an opportunity fory a physical attack, which could only be effectedte in the open street. Mr. Gandhi had no thoughty; of seeking police protection against a compatriot, © but walked straight to the Registration Office, ande on the way the expected attack was delivered. wv Bleeding from open woundsand in the greatesth : pain, he was taken tothe Rev. J. J. Doke’s house, ® ‘but before he would permit the doctor to stitch upF | his face, which was badly gashed, he insisted upon, completing the form of application for voluntary], | registration in the presence of the Registrar offg } Asiatics, giving full details as to identity, like thera. least of hie followers—Mr.Gandhi has always stead- oa fastly refused, either within or outside of prison,M. K. GANDHI. 29 > avail himself of any privilege that is not accord- d to the humblest in the community—and .then ermitted his wounds to be sewn up without vailing himself of an anesthetic. That same day, hongh tossing feverishly upon a sick-bed,he issued he following manifesto to the Indian community, vhich had, fur the moment, been taken aback hy the suddenness of the nssault and by a series of ovlish errors on the part of the registration offi- tials :-— Those who have committed the act did uot know what. hey were doing. They thought that I was doing what waa wrong. They have had their redress in the only nanner they know. I therefore request that no steps retaken against thom. Beoing that the assault was committed by a Mahome- lan or Mahomedans, the Hindus might probably feel yart. Ifso,they would put themselves in the wron yeforo the world and their Maker. Rather let the bloo spilt to-day cement the two communities indissolubly— such is my heartfelt prayer. May God grant it!......... The spirk of passive resistance rightly underatood should make the people fear none and nothing, but God —no cowardly fear, therefore, should deter the vast aajority of sober-minded Indians from doing their duty. The promise of repeal of the Act, against voluntary registration, having been ‘given, it is the sacred duty of avery true Indian to help the Government and the Colony to the uttermost. ‘To assume responsibilities, to recognise obliga- tions, has always been Mr. Gandhi’s main thought, in his relations with the European colonists of South Africa, for he knows that the completest30 A SKETCH OF UI8 LIFE AND WORK. rights cannot be availed of by undeveloped and irresponsible people. Hence his offers, on behalf of the community, of ambulance and stretcher-! bearer corps, his desire to afford the Governtnent! and Municipal authorities the utmost help at alP times in the proper conduct of public affairs and’ the governance and uplifting of the Indian com tounity. He is aware that the only porsible road’ to progress is by compelling the Europe#n colon-! ista to recognise the real worth and = of character of his compatriots and a deep-seated! desire to secure mutual respect is at the botto: of his action in advising his fellow-countryme: to continue this struggle for the preservation of their manhood. " Perhaps Mr. Gandhi’s-greatest regret during all the last three terrible years, is thnt so much, ‘of the communal.energy has been used up in des+ tructive criticism instead of in constructive sociah, work, and he bas only become reconciled to the situation by realising that destructive criticism is; essential to the communal progress and that ther struggle itself has built up character as, probably,, no deliberately undertaken constructive work; «ould have done. But even whilat he was ing gaol, he was not forgetful of his duty to his comM. K. GANDHI. 31 iots and the general public, for, by permission authorities, he addresstd the following com- nication, giving his ow: personal views on the: estion, to the Liquor Commission appointed by Transvaal Government :— . th Mahomedans and Hindus are prohibited by their pective religions from taking intoxicating liquors. 1@ Mahomedan section has very largely conformed to prohibition, The Hindu section, I um sorry to say, ntains an appreciable number who, in this Colony, ve disregarded the prohibition of religion, e method adopted by Indians who indulgein alcoho- drinks is generally to sccure the assistance of some scrupulous whites. There are also other methode, ich I do not care to go into. am of opinion that the legal prohibition should con- I think, however, that the prohibition has not preventing Indians, who have wanted it, g liquor. “Tho only use I see in continuing ion ia to let thore of my countrymen, who lulge in it, retain the acnse of ehame they havo in inking liquor. ‘They know that it is wrong for thom, hin religion and in law, to obtain and drink liquor. ic enables temperance workers to appeal to their -abiding sentiment. { draw fundamental distinc- between wrongful law-brealing and a conscientious h of man-made law in obedience to a higher law. pily, those Indians who break the liquor law know it ia wrong for them to do eo. ‘fam aware that some of my countrymen—themeelres t temperance men--see in the liquor legislation one disqualification based on the ground of colour. ficial ing, they would be right, but I believe this legislacion has little to do with colour. It is, recognition on the part of the pre- juant race that the drink hebit is an evil which, they themselves are unable to get rid of it, t want other races to contract. Viewing the poate32 4 SKETCH OF HIS LIFE AND WORK. ! tion in this manner, I. believe liquor prohibition amon; the Asiatic and coloured gaces to be the forerunner ¢ general prohibition. Whethor, however, general prohibition becomes », accomplished fact or not, so long as the predominai race continue to indulge in alcoholic drinks, be it neve so moderately, partial prohibition, such as we now hav cannot be of much practical use. ‘This, it iy submittet ia a forcible iustration of ono of the evil incidents ~ contact between the European and other races. Ar unless thoso who preach abstinence arc themeel res reat: to practise it, all liquor legislation must largely be, makeshift. I wish the Commission could see their way point out to theclectors of the ‘Transvaal what # serio. responsibility reste upon their shoulders. They make impossible for their representatives to pass legislati that 0 desirable. tis they who must take the re: ponsibility for the breaking up of many a home. Ia writing undor a full senso of my own responsibility. | know only too well how ‘many Indian youth who never knew the taste of spirituous liquors, hay succumbed, after having come to South Africa or th ‘Transvaal. ‘ We have herean example of how Mr. Gand! will uot hesitate, when necessary, to set hinge: against the opinion of many of bis countrymel or to declare boldly whose is the responsibility for any recognised evil. ® So far nas the Indian community itself { concerned, Mr. Gandhi has appoiuted for himee! one supreme task—to bring Hindus and Mahe medans together and to make them realise thi they are one brotherhood and sons of the sani “MintLedland. ‘he result is that there is to-da’M. K, GANDHI, 33 real Hindu-Mahomedan problem in South sien, All act and work ‘and suffer togother. jw and again, of course, individual religious jatics try to sow discord, but the better sense of community is agaiost all such attempts, and tis why Hindus and Mahomedans alike are to found amongst his most devoted followers. His icude as a Hindu towards Mnahomedans is Il defined in the following letter addressed by to a Mahomedan correspondent :— never realise any distinction between a Hindu and ahomedan. Tomy mind, both are sons of Mother ia. I know that Hindus are in a numerical majori- and that they are believed to be more advanced in jowledge and education. Accordingly, they should be lad to give way so much tho more to their Mahomedan thren. Asaman of truth, I honestly believe that ‘indus should yield up to the Mahomedans what the tter desire, and that they should rejoice in so doing. ‘e can expect unity only if such mutual large-hearted— 88 is displayed. When the Hindus and Mahomedans t towards each other as blood-brothers, then alone can ere be unity, then only can we hope for the dawn of dia. And as has already been seen, Mr. Gandhi is epared to shed his blood in order that the bonds Hindu-Mahomedan brotherhood might be the ore firmly cemented, His chivalry is at oncethe admiration of his iends and followers ond the confusion of his emies. A telling example of this was given 334 A SKETCH OF His LIFE AND WORK. when, in October, 1908, together with a number of compatriots, he was arrested and charged ati Volksrust, the Transvaal border-town. Mr. Gan( dhi then gave the following evidence on behal of his fellow countrymen, whom he was defending, and though he was not called upon to make th admissions :— He took the sole re-po: thom to enter the Colony . enced by his advice, the own judgment. He thouglt Ut, in gi he had consulted the beat intcroste of the Stal ed accused to enter at a publie meeting and individually. They probably, at that time, had no idea of entering Colony, except, perhaps, one of them. He would certain ly admit that he had asnivted the accused to enter, Hi sdmitted aiding and abetting them to enter the Tram yaal. He was quite prepared to suffer the consequence of his action, as he always bad been, : i Luter, when giving evidence on his own behalf he said :— ie tiun certificate and to give thuimb-impressions or fin; impreasions, 1 think that as an officer of thia Court $ owe an explanation. Thore have been differences betweet the Government and British Indians, whom I reproson; as Scorctary of the British Indian Aaso Asiatic Act, No. 2 of 1907, took upon myself the responnibility of advising my coun trymeh not to submit to the primary obligation imposed by the Act, but still, as law-abiding subjects, of State, to accept ita sanctions. Rightly or wrongly, inj common with othor Aniatics, I consider that the Act i qquestion, among other things, offendy our conucience, ‘and the only way, I thought, as J still think, the Asiuti could show their fecling with regard to it was to inc: In connection with my refusal to produce my regintrsM. K. GANDHI. 385 penalties. And in pursuance of that policy, I admit wt Ihave adviacd the accused who have preceded me hyefuse submission to the Act, as also the Act 36 of }, sewing that, in the opinion of British Indians full f, that was promined by the Government, has not jpn granted. I am now before the Court to suffer the sities that may be awarded me. yAnd when he waa last sentenced Mr, Gandhi ade the following declaration :— it ia my misfortune that I have to appear before the fort for the same offence the xecond time. Iam quite mre that my offence ix deliberate and wilful. T have jeatly desired to examine mv conduct in the light of experience, and tit the conclusion that, no rwhat my countess n think, as x citizen of Btate and ag nnn _ vats conscience above thing, I must coutinue vw incur the penalties so long tice, an I conceive it, has not boen rendered by tate to a portion of its citizens. I consider myself greatest offender in the Aniatic struggle, if the con- that [am purauing ix held to be reprehensible. 1 ‘ore regret that I am being tried under a clause h does not enable me to ask for a penalty which of my fellow-objectors received, but Lask you to se ongne the highest penalty. ‘hue, Mr. Gandhi indicated his willingress to me A passive resister even against his own ntrymen, if need be, and his anxiety, like the jeck hero who rushed into the fray and found bth by gathering into his own breast the spears |the enemy, to bring salvation to his people by pting the fullest responsibility and tne heaviest Ities. Even whilst in gaol, he was a passive , for he declined to eat the special food36 A SKETCH OF HIS LIFE AND WORK, provided for him until hia Indian fellow-prisoner were given a more suituble diet, and he deliberate] starved himself upon one wretched meal a da, for six weeks, ontil the authorities were obliga to promise a modified dict-scale for Indian prison ers, © promise which they have since fulfilled for the worse. Mr. Gandhi's definition of passive resistance contained in the following summary of an 4 delivered before the Germiston (Transvaal) Lite and Debating Soc y last June, in responsi ton special invitation te lecture :— Passive resimtance was a mianomer. But the oxpre sion had been accepted ax it wax popular, and had bee for a long time used by those wi ‘out in practi¢ the idea denoted by the term. pletely and butter exprensed by th: ‘Aw such, it wus ay old ax the homan race. Active renis| Ance was bettor expresscd by the term “body fore: Jesus Christ, Dunicl, and Socrates representad the pa est form of passive resixtuuce or soul force. All the teachers counted their bodies aa nothing in compariad to their soul. Tolstoy wus the beat and brightost (m ern) exponent of the doctrine. He not only expound it, but lived according to it. In India, the doctrine wi) jerstood and commonly practised long before it can > vogue in Europe. It was oasy to ace that soul for was ip ly superior tu body force. If people, ii order to secure redroan of wronga, renorted to soul fore! much of the present auffering would be avoided. In an} case, the wielding of thin force never caused sufferin to others. So that, whenever it was misuned, it onl injured the users, and not those againat_ whom it w used. Like virtue, it was its own reward. There w no such thing as failure in the use of this kind of fore; \M. K. GANDHI. 37 ist not evil” meant that evil was not to be repelled but by good ; in other wards, physical force was ‘opponed not by its like but by soul force, The fides was exprossed in Indian philosophy by the ex- jon “freedom from injury to every living thing.” ‘ercise of this doctrine involved physical suffering phe part of those who practised it. But it wan a known that the sun of anch suffering woe greater rather Jeas in the world. That being xo, all that was neces- for those who recognixnd the immensuruble power ul force, was consciously and deliberately to accept ing ax their lot, and, when thik was done, very suffering became a rource of joy to the sufferer. jas quite plain that passive resistance, thus undere d, wan infinitely superior to physical force, and that uired greater coursge than the latter, No transi wad, therefore, possible from passive resistance to or physical resistance... ‘The only condition of a pxaful uke of this fore was a recognition of the lence of the soul as apart from the body, and its Hbanent and superior nature. And this recognition amount to a living faith and not a mere intellectual r. Gandhi put his thonght more concisely ina more direct form when he addressed the wing exhortation to the Tamil communi member that we aro descendants of Prahlad and Baanva, both passive resistersof the purest type. They Regarded the dictates even of their parentr, when they asked to deny God. They suffered extreme torture er than inflict suffering on their persecutors. We in ‘ransvaal are being called upon to deny God, in that @ required to deny our manhood, go back upon our and accept an insult to our nation. Shall we, in the pt crisis, do less than our forefathers ? simplicity is extreme. Ile is a devoted of Tolstoy and Ruskin in their appeal mpler life, and himself lives the life of38 A SKETCH OF HIS LIFE AND WORK. an ascetic, eating the simplest fruits of the eart sleeping ona plank bed, in the open air, even the midst of a Transvaal winter, and cares n thing for personal appearance. He baa reduc himself to a condition of voluntary poverty, at it is understood that he now contemplates givit up the practice of law, believing that he hea? right to obtain his livelihood from a professic that derives its sanctions from physical force, E acknowledges no binding tics of kin or custor but only of religious obligntion. Ram Krinhe texted hia freedom from caste-prejudice by sweey ing cut a parinh’s hat with his own hance Mohandas Gandhi has tested his by tending th wounds of a Kaffir savage with hia own hand With him religion is everything, the world an its opinion nothing. He Sorex not know how t distinguish Hindu from Mahomedan, Chriatiar from infidel. ‘Lo him all alike are brothers, frag ments of the divine, fellow-spirits struggling fo expression, All he has he gives. With him a of his very nature. By outward signs he ise political fighter. In actual fact he ia a man o! religion, His deep spirituality influences al around, so that no man dares to commit evil in hit self-surrender and absolute sacrifice are demnM. K. GANDHI, 39 pe. Ho lives in the happiness of his friends, does not hesitate to create a condition of ial unrest in them when he conceives it his point out the right and condemn the He cxnnot condone falsehood, but he aand rebukes lovingly. Indeed, love is ly Weapon against evil. He sees God in living thing, and therefore loves all man- and the whole animal world. He is strictly Han, not because of orthudoxy, but because ynnot cnuse the death of any creature and e he believes that life ix of God. In faith probably nearer in touch with pure Jainism pddhism than any other creed, though no Tocreed can rently hold him, To him all y he deduces his whole in this generation, A, nud from that reali f conduct. Perhap hax not produced such # noble man—saint, t, statesman in one. Le lives for God and Bolndia. Hix one desire is to see unity amongst How-countrymen. His every endeavour in Afvica is directed to showing the possi- of Indian national unity and the lines upon the national edifice should be constructed, ‘inning manners, pleasant smile, und re- candour and originality of thought and40 A SKETCH OF HIS LIFE AND WORK. action mark him outs a lesder of men, Hh those who know him best recognise in) him th religious teacher, the indicator of God, the it spiring example cf ‘na pure, holy soul,” as he hw been called by the Rev F. B. Meyer, the modesty humility and utter self-nbregation of whose lif Provide a lesson for all who have eyes to see, enry to hear, and an underst Jing spirit. i E INDIANS OF SOUTH AFRICA. tu within the Empire! How they are Treated BY H. S. L. POLAK. SOUTH APLICA.; his book im the firwt extended and artharitatir ipti i i va, th their Earopean fellow colonists, and their many griovances, Part 1. i devoted toa detailed examination of the dina! Indians in Natal, the Transvaal, the Ora Colony, the Cape Colony, Southern Rhodesia. and th Portuguese Province of Mozambique. Part 18. entitlet’ SA Tragedy of Empire, describes the terrible struggthy Of the lant three years inthe Tranwraal, and contain 8p appeal to the people of India. To there are added «pl number of valuable appendicen; alo extracts): from xpeechen or dexpatchca of reapot Britial Politicians, Statesmen, and Admi various aspects of the South Africian Indian question together with certain information re! lating to the recruit ment of indentured labour for South Africa, The book contains = portrait of Mr. Gandhi. 6 Price Re. 1.To Subscribers of the ‘Review,’ As. 12. ji! , ESPLANADE, MADRAghiéAPPENDIX. ee gee ir. Gandhi on the Duties of British Citizenship. consider myself a lover of the British Empire, a en (though sotelesa) of the Transvaal, prepared to iny toli share in promoting the general well-being fithe count And I claim tt to be perfectly honour- Five ond consistent with the above profession to advise F countryn not to submit to the Asiatic Act, as ip satory to their manhood and offensive to n. And I claim, too, that the method of iatance udopted to combat the mischief is wee clearest and ufest, because, if the cause ix not true, be & the resisters, and they alone, who suffer. I am Mepeectly awure of the danger to good government, in a try inhabited by many racex unequally developed, p honest cilizon udvising resistance to a law of the But 1 1efure to beheve in the infallibility of ators, I do believe that they are not always guided meroua orcven just sentiments in their dealings unrepresented classes, I venture to say that, if ive resistance m generally accepted, it will once and ver avoid the contingency of a terrible death- 2 d bloodshed in the event (not impossible) Whe natives being oxasperated by a stupid mistake of legislatorn. hus been said that thore who do not like the may leave the country. ‘This is all very well, from a cushioned chair, but it ie neither possi-~ or becoming for men to leave their homes because Fdo not subscribe to certain laws onacted against } The inlunders of the Boer regime complained of luwa ; they, too, wore told that if they did not like ¥they could retire from the country. Are Indiane,who ghting for their kclf-respect, to slink away from the y for fear of xuffering imprisonment or worse? If help it, nothing would remove Indians from the B eave brute force. Itis no part of a citizen’s42 APPENDIX, duty to pay blind obedience to the Iuwa imponed on him Aud if my cruntrymen beliove in God and the existen of the noul, then, while they may admit that their bodieg), belong to the state to bo imprisoned and deported, the minds, their wills, and their souls must over remain fi like the birds of the air, and are bes ond the reach of awiftest arrow, Mr. Gandhi on the Aanti-Asiatic Legislation. He well recalled an incident that happeued when wif)! bn Mr, Ally he went to England as their servant. A gentl man on board said: “ I sce you are 1 order to get rid of the day's coll: because they did not want to wear a dog's collar th they had put up that fight. They were willing to wacr fice everything for sentiment, but it wax a nobly senthe ment. It was a sentiment that had to be cherished ax religious sentiment. It was a sentiment that bound pe ple together ; it waa a sentiment that bound creatures & the creator. That was the sentiment for which ho aské them, advised them, if necessary ty die. Their actiof: would be reflected throughout the British dominionfé through the leagth and breadth of India, and they we! now upon their trial...... .. There wan no better and fear for a man who belioved in Gud. No matter wh might be said, he would always repeat that it was PRY struggle for religious liberty. By religion we did nf! mean formal religion, or customary religiong but thi! religion which underlay all religiona, which brongf them face to face with their Maker. If they ceaued to men, if on taking a deliberate vow they broke that vol im order that they might remain in the Transvaal wit ont physicul inconvenience, they undoubtedly forsee their God. To repeat again the worda of the Jow Nazareth, those who would follow God had to leave t world, and he had called upon hia countrymen, in th particular inatance, to leave the world and cling to Go asa child wonld cling to the mother's breast......1f thar ys showed to him (General Smutn) that the majority ff Indians were not going to sccept the Act, but would rather suffer imprisonment and degradation, forfeiture all their goods, then General Smuts, without anybe|AUPENDIX. 43. him, would say: “Yeu, these are people and i: in» ; those are people wkom I shall 8 with me and who will be of ser- But if thoy did not take up that posi- Goneral Smuts would certainly also say : “ Yes, B Indiana may remain in the Colony. We can keep as dogs, and allow them to die their natural death.” F natural deaths they could die far outside the avanl, wherever there was a piece of earth given . but if they would die a noble death, a man's death, ‘was only one course open to them......[he handful dians who had aright to remain in the Transvaal Id be alowed to remain as worthy citizens of a ty Empire, but should not remain as beasts so long jeould holp it. Mr. Gandhi's Confession of Faith. @ following is an extract from a letter recently pened by Mr, Gandhi toa friend in Ind £ Thero ix no impassable barrier be cen East thing ax Western or European ation, but there is a modern civilization, which is material. Y ‘Tho pooplo of Europe, before they were touched odern civilization had much in common with the le of the East; anyhow the people of India, and to-dify Europeans who are not touched by m zation are better able to mix with Indians the offspring of that civilization. » Iti not the British people who are ruling India, tis modern civilization, through ita railways, tele- h, telephone, and ahaost every invention which has claimed to be a triumph of civilization. Z | Bombay, Calcutta, and the other chief cities of \are the real plague spots. If Britis: rule was replaced to-morrow by in rule based on modern methods, India would be atter, except that she would be able then to retain of the money that is draincd away to England ; hen India would only become a second or fifth edi- of Europe or America,44 APPENDIX, (7). Eust and West can only and really meet whe the West has thrown overboard modern civilization + almost in its ontirety. They can alao xconungly moc when East has also adopted modern civilization, br; that mecting would be an ured truce, even an iti ween Germany and Englond, both of which natio are living in the Hall of Death in order to uvoid by devoured the one by the other. (8) Itissimply impertinence for any man or a body of men to begin or contemplate reform of tl whole world. To attempt to do so by means ot high actificial and speedy locomotion, i6 to attempt the ir possible, (9) Increase of material comforts, it may be gene ally laid down does notin. ans way wlntsoever conday to moral growth. (10) Medical S« sis the concentrated carence Black Magic. Quackery is intiaitely preferable to wh. passes for high medical shi (11) Howpitala are the been using for hin own fp hold on his Kingdom. They perpetrate and degradation and reat «avery, Twas track when I congidered that 1 ould he sinful fer yoway wh er to take part in the cb ominations that goon the hoxpitala. If there were no hospitals for sene diseases, or even for consumptives, «6 shoul’ have Id consumption, aud less sexual viee aniongst ua 12) India’s salvation priste in unloarning what # arnt during the paet fifty ye The raitwa telegraphs, hoxpitala, lawyers. de and each hi have all to go, and the so-called upper classes have learn to live conaciously and religiously and deliberate the simple peasant life, knowing it to bea life givit trie happinesa, (13) India should wear no machine-made clothin, whather it comes out of European milla or Indi milla. (14) England can help India to do thia, and th; she will have justified her hold on India. There to be many in England to-day who think likewise. atrcients that the Devil h pose ip order tea heep hiAPPENDIX, 45 There wax true wisdom in the sages of old icty ax to limit the materiat the rude plough of perhaps tiwand years age is the plough of the huaband- day. Therein lies salvation. People live long ich ennditions, in comparative peace much than Europe has enjoyed after having taken up ivity, and J feel that every enlightencd man, Englishman, may, if he chooses, learn th and act necording to it. the true spirit. of passive resistance that has it me to the above almost definite conclusions, As rive resister, 1 am unconcerned whether gautic reformation, shall I call it, can be yout among people who find their satisfaction exentmad rush. If I realize the trath of it, jd rejoice in following it, and therefore I could not til the whole body of people had commenced. All who think likewise have to take the necessary step, rest, if weare in the right, must follow. The is there: our practice will have to approach it as ax poxsible. Living in the midst of the rush, we the able to sha ce from all taint. f time I get into a railway car or use a motor-bus, that Jam doing violence to my sense of what is I do not fear the logical result on that basis. The of England is bad, and any communication bet- uth Africa and India by meant of ocean-grey- “ala bad, and soon. You and I can, and way Ww these things in our presont bodies, but the thing ix to put our theory right. You will be there all sorts and conditions of men. I therefore at I should no longer withhold from you what I © progressive step 1 have taken mentally, If you ywith me, then it will be your duty to tell the revo- aries and everybody else that the freedom they or they think they want, is not to be obtained ing people or doing violence, but by setting them- ight, and by becoming and remaining truly Then the British rulers be servants and ters, They will be trustees, and not tyrants, ey will live in perfect peace with the whole of the ares46 APPENDIX. inhabitants of India. The future, theroforo, lie: with the British race, but with the Indians theme and if they have sufficient self-abnegation and ¢ miousnese, they can mako themselves free thie moment, and when we have arrived in India at the plicity which is still ours largely and which was entiroly until a few years ago, it will still be possib! the best Indians and the best Europeans to sec another througliout the length and brandth of Indie act as the Icaven, When there wax no rapid locomn teachers and preachers wont on foot, from one e! the country to the other, braving ull dangers, no pleasure, not for recruiting their health, (thou; 1) féllowed from their tramps) but for the sake of Inn ‘Phen were Benares and other places of pilerints holy cities, whereus to-day they are an xbomini You will recollect you used to rate me for taiki my children in Guzerati. I now feel more and convinced that I was absolutely right in refusing t to them in English. Fancy a Guzerati writing { other Guzerati in English ! which, as you would perly say, he mispronoances, and writes ungramati I should certainly never commit the ludicrous blu in writing in Guzerati Lnat Ido in writing or epe in English. .I think thut when { spenlc in English Indian or a Foreignor I in ® measure un-learn thi guage. If I want to learn it well, and if I we attune my ear to it, [ can only do so. by talking Englishman and by listening to an Englishman spcea Mr. Gandhi's Plea for the Soul. The following is an extract from a letter o London correspondent of the Amrita Bazar Pat summarising an address delivered by Mr. Gandhi b the members of the Emersor Club and of the Ham Branch of the Peace and Arbitration Society whil London recently : ‘Mr. Gandhi turned to India, and spoke with e1 siasm of Rama, the victim of the macbinations woman, choosing fourteen years’ exile rather than render; other Orientals were mentioned, and through the Doukhabors of to-day, he broughtAPPENDIX. 47 ights of the audience to the aoul ronietance of Indians @ brute force in South Africa. He insisted that it ompletely = mistake to believe that Indians were able of lengthened resistance for a principle; in fearlessness of suffering they were second to none e. world, Passive resistance had been called a n of the weak, but Mr. Gandhi maintained that it. sive resistance, was continuous and sustained ; it physical sufforing. Some people wero inclined ‘to it too difficult to be carried out to-day, but those jeld that idea wero not moved by true courage. referring to Oriental teaching, Mr. Gandhi said 2 touching of the “ Lord’s Song” war, from the rage ho necessity of fearlessness. He touched on esti: of physical force whilo insisting that it was suct f by Indians in the Transvaal, He does ut to share in liberty for India that is gained by e and bloodshed, and insists that no country is so le as India of wielding soul foree. Mr. Gandhi did prove of the militunt tactics ef the suffragettes for son that they were meeting body force with body and not using the higher power of soul force ; e begot violence, He maintained, too, that the tion of Britain and India must be a mutual benefit jia—gschewing violence—did not depart from her position of being the giver and the teacher of n. “If the world belioves in the existence of the he said in conclusion, “ it must be recognised that ree ia better than body force: it is the sacred al of love which moves mountains, ‘Co us is the ibility of living out this snered law; we are not ed with reaults.” andhi protested against the mad rush of to-day, tead of blessing tho means by which modern has made this mad rush possible, that is, rail- jotors, telegraph, telephone, and even the coming machines, he declared that they were diverting houghta from the main purpose of life; bodily stood before soul growth; man had no time ven to know himself; he preferred a newspaper48 APPENDIX. or sport or other things rather than to be lef with birwelf for though. Ha claimed Ruskin a« side in this expression of protest against the dr hurry of modern civilisation. He did uot dercr development of material science as exclusively but he considered that its effect in India bad bor fol in many ways. He inutanced the desecration dia’s holy places, which he said were no longer h the “ fatal facility ” of locomotion had brought { places people whose only aim was to defraud tt cated; auch peoplo in the olden day: iIgrimages meant long and wearisome walking * jungles, crossing rivers, and encountering many ¢ had not the stamina to reach the goal. Pil i those days could only be undertaken by society, but they came to know each uther; th the holy places was to make India holy. Play existed in pre-British days we 7, Tooom jocomotion had caused them to ap ity which intense materialism mu avoid the Mr. Gandhi urged that India should go back to mer holiness, which i not yet lost. The cont the West has awakened her from the lethargy in she had sunk ; the new spirit, if Properly directs bring blessing to both vations and to the world. adopted Westera modern civilisation as Japan t there must be 1 conflict and grasping Briton and Indian. If, on the other hand, India’ civilisation can withstand this Intest waunult, 2 withstood so many before, and be, as of old, the teacher, the me aabero guide, then "there would t passable barrier between East and West. Som stances exist, said Mr. Gandhi, which we oann stand; bat the main purpose of life is to liv think rightly, act rightly; but the soul must when we give all our ‘thought to the body. ~ ee