Mar.
The settlement of the differences between the Executive of the Indian National Coi and the Government of In a world-event of the first importance. Its effect on trade may indeed be, most far-reaching and, taken in conjunction with the, Franco-Italian agreement, it much-needed bull influence on sorely-di rossed markets. Mr. Gandhi hi ound circumstances too strong for him.
The judicious blend of have met the menace of revolationary activity has set the: masses of the people in resent: ful opposition to continuance of the arid policy of boycotting. Last month a significant message from the Bengal branch of the Congress to Mr. Gandhi indicating that opinion' in that Presidency was in favour of.
ace... A' great triumph has en won by the returned delegates from the Round Table Conference. They have evident-been able to convince their countrymen that the time for' facts of British policy is past' and that the results of the Conference offer solid opportunities which it would be criminal to neglect. Perhaps the must. dramatic touch in the sudden transformation of the political scene is provided by the news that the Working Committee or Executive of the Congress have passed a resolution appreciating "Lord Irwin's services cementing the ties Great Britain and Ind Viceroy has ever received such encomium from such a quarter. The adoption by the Congress of an attitude which comes the British connection is indeed one of the most elect I recantations in Indian history.
It comes to crown the infinite patience and discernment shown by the retiring croy in handling a drawn out crisis of unparalleled gravity. The recent formal inauguration of the new Capital of India could not have been since the King-Emperor's nouncement of the selection "of. Delhi as the headquarters of the Government of India in suces-sion to Calcutta, there has been 'a tendency to associate with that change many unfavourable turns in the development of British policy in India. Coinlence and accident have been marshalled to point the moral. It may now be open to the soothsayers to declare that the spell is broken. New Delhi has risen the ruins of eight' former capitals and has been confirmed in its high The Viceroy, whose attempted sssination a little over a ago, on entering his new al evoked in Congress conclave expressions thinly disguising sympathy with the would-be assassins, is now acclaimed by the chiefs of the Congress itself.
It is a wicked and mischievous misreading of the. situation to scribe Lord, Irwin's policy as a "surrender," if that word be used as.a term of ignominy. Tt were safe to say that if lord Irwin's orities "had "been permitted to have their way, there would have been a "surrender india "utterly "discrediting those who Tet it, come to pass. History will one day assess. fis true proportions the work which Excellency has' Wrought during the last five Yearas the outcome now reco stiggests that he will eventually figure in the not. ignoble record of British rule in India not the least of the great Viceroy. It is certain that the Admiration and gratisade of his fellow-countrymen will now Join the widespread. expressions of esteem and respectful affection being manifested towards him by the people of India—a tribute which is likely to gather strength as the last few days of his Viceroyalty slip away. Of Mr. Gandhi it is) suficfent to note that he has been overborne by. the good sense of his own countrymen. That, he will easily into the deliberations Shead may be doubted—the best that "could happen would that he would recognize his own Timitations and. the overwhelm ing desire in India for peace and be content to rest on the Taurels of that peculiar reputa-Hon which no-one would seek to Share with him, Otherwise—he is probably astute enough to Fealize ithe may be la danger of encountering the bathos of exposed mediocrity. That the Congress decision' willie honoured by the bulk of the followers of that body must be taken for granted. There will probably remain a disgruntled aries with whom the Govern: ment have been so firmly. grappling. The combined efforts of British and Indian supporters: of the new regime may be relied upon to relegate them to their -proper insignificance: fo the delectation of those mi: chet coakes, Se eae British coteries the world over, must, for the sake of their own existence, continue to picture an India in bondage.
To China this welcome end to Indian political turmoil may easily be of great importance.
should come "as a strong stimulus to those who look for a revival in trade. Sir' George Schuster's speech last week on the Indian Budget showed thi serious though the financial disasters of the past year have been, Indian credit was remarkably' sound. The boycott of foreign trade, already weakened by the disillusionment of the people, has created a demand the fulfilment of which, now that its abandonment is officially recognized by its own promoters, will, normally, produce a stra reaction tending to the gr activity of the import trad The-prospects of internal peace hould act tonic to the silver market and, moreover, trade between India and China should soon benefit from this happy turn of events. The deeper aspect of the New Delhi agreement should not be over-Tooked, especially in China. It shows that there is a real power for good in the application to the relations of East with West of modern ideals of tolerance, sympathy and broad vision, The old shibboleths have rendered useful service; they have been outworn and deserve an honour able superannuation. Lord Irwin, supported by Mr. Ramsay MacDonald, Mr. Baldwin and after some." hesitation—Mr. Lloyd George, has led the way in bringing this lesson home t his countrymen and to Mr Gandhi. In that thought lies perhaps the' most hope message which has been giv fo the World for a long time. Tt carries with it pregnant imlications for consideration in ina,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.