The ‘Pioneer’ and Mr. Gandhi.

THE love which the Pioneer has found in his heart for Mr. Gandhi is increasing. In its Friday’s issue, besides devoting a leaderette extending over nearly a column to denouncing Mr. Gandhi in its inimitable style, it commends to his special notice the recent telegram from the Secretary of State to the Viceroy expressing “the deep admiration felt by this country at large for the great services rendered by India in the prosecution of the war, and for the successful heroism of her soldiers and the sustained co-operation of her citizens in the efforts which have brought the great struggle to a triumphant conclusion”. Why a telegram containing this noble sentiment should be commendable to the notice of Mr. Gandhi, who never doubted either the greatness of the services by the people of England generally, instead of to the Pioneer’s own friends who have been consistently endeavouring to minimise both, is not at all clear to the unsophisticated mind. And might it not, with equal appropriateness, be commended to the Pioneer itself, which in the very same issue asks us to take part in the Peace Celebrations, not because they represent the greatest victory won by Freedom, Righteousness and Civilisation over Tyranny, Wrong-Doing and Barbarism, but because it would serve to “demonstrate India’s gratitude to our soldiers and sailors.” In other words, while His Majesty’s Government and the British people are expressing their admiration for what India has done, this British journal sees nothing in the completion of the war but an occasion for reminding India of what she owes to “our soldiers and sailors.” Could anything show more clearly or more conclusively the difference in the angle of vision between the two?