Congress differences

Lahore, Wednesday, August 27, 1924

IT is now more than a week since it was stated in a Calcutta telegram that Pandit Motilal Nehru had received an important communication from Mahatma Gandhi, making certain proposals for the settlement of differences between the two wings of the Congress. A later telegram stated that the utmost secrecy was being maintained regarding the nature of these proposals, and that it was understood that the Swaraj party had drafted a reply to the Mahatma’s letter and was about to communicate it to him. About the same time, Sarojini Naidu, through whom apparently the proposals had been sent, stated to an interviewer that she had been discussing them with the Swarajists for two days, but that she was unable at that stage to give out the details of the proposals. Nor is Mahatma himself inclined to be more communicative. In the latest issue of Young India, there is not a word on this subject, while in a telegram to Mr Belgamwala, who had expressed his uneasiness at the prospect of a compromise, Mahatmaji further mystified the mystery by stating that there was no question of a compromise. Strange as it may seem, the nearest approach to an informed statement on the subject is contained in a telegram to the Pioneer from its Calcutta correspondent. After pointing out that Pandit Motilal Nehru and other leaders of the party were completely silent and no statement could be obtained from them at present, the correspondent said: “It is, however, understood from a well-informed quarter that Mr Gandhi is willing and anxious to cooperate with the Swarajists to the fullest extent but makes definite reservations with regard to certain articles of the Swarajist creed.”