If Lord Sankey and Mr. Wedgwood Benn regard the safeguards evolved by the Round Table Conference as final in substance and form, then there is no use of our going to London and the Second Round Table Conference, as far as the Indian masses are concerned, must fail.
Gandhiji pointed out that, under the terms of the recent truce with Lord Irwin scope is allowed not only for a full and free discussion of the whole question of safeguards, but it is expressly stipulated that safeguards are to be considered in the interests of India.
I feel therefore that the statements in Parliament made by Mr. Wedgwood Benn and Lord Sankey that the safeguards must be in the interests of England as well as of India are not strictly in conformity with the spirit of the truce.
Concerning the Hindu-Muslim question, Gandhiji expressed grave doubts as to whether unity could be achieved before the National Congress at Karachi. He hoped however that some measure of accord would be reached which might save the way for an eventual agreement between these two groups, whose dissensions had torn India for centuries.
Asked if he would favour Geneva for the Second Round Table Conference, Gandhiji, replied :
Geneva would be desirable if the British delegation were sitting as an impartial judge over India's future status, but it is not. The British are, in a sense, our opponents. Therefore the procedure must be by direct negotiation. In such negotiations the atmosphere, surroundings, and local influences play a vital part. I am sure England would never agree to Geneva. If I had my way I would hold two conferences, the first in India and the second in England. That would make for fairness all around. But wherever the Conference is held, it is of the utmost importance that it should be convened without loss of time.
Q. Do you expect to hold the National Congress to the terms of the truce with Lord Irwin?
A. Yes, but if Bhagat Singh is hanged, as it now seems almost certain, it may have highly unfavourable repercussions upon the younger element in the Congress who may attempt to split the Congress.
Q. Do you entertain any hope that Bhagat Singh may be saved at the last minute?
A. Yes, but it is a very distant hope.
Gandhiji laughed over the speculation in the London Press as to whether he would bring Mirabai to London.
If I go to the Second Round Table Conference why should not I bring her? She is a most useful assistant and besides she is anxious to see her mother who lives in England.
Turning from politics to general subjects, Gandhiji answered a number of questions.
Q. Do you think the League of Nations will succeed in exterminating war?
A. War will never be exterminated by any agency until men and the nations become more spiritual, and adopt the principle of brotherhood and concord rather than antagonism, competition, and brute force. Those in the West do not recognize the power of spiritual things, but some day they will and then they will be free from war, crimes of violence and things that go with these evils. The West is too materialistic, selfish and narrowly nationalistic. What we want is an international mind, embracing the welfare and spiritual advancement of all mankind.
Q. How would you cure the evil of armaments?
A. By non-violence, which will eventually be the weapon of all nations. I say 'eventually' deliberately, because we shall have wars and armaments for a very long time. It is two thousand years since Christ preached His Sermon on the Mount and the world has adopted only a fragment of the imperishable lofty precepts therein enunciated for the conduct of man toward man. Until we take all Christ's principles to our hearts, war, hatred and violence will continue.
Q. What is your remedy for the prevailing crimes of violence, divorce, and drink in the United States?
A. I would cure them all by self-purification and non-violence.
Q. Why did you refuse to allow the Ahmedabad Municipality to erect a monument to you?
A. Because man's best monument is not a thing of stone, but consists in living deeds and in memory which survives in the minds of those he served. Such funds should be used for the uplift of the poor and not to glorify or immortalize in marble a man who merely served his brother man.
Q. How long do you expect to live?
A. Until eternity.
Q. Do you believe in immortality?
A. Yes, reincarnation and transmigration of souls are fundamentals of the Hindu religion.
Q. If all men adopted your simple mode of living, fasting and exercising, do you think they should live to be hundred?
A. Yes, but that can he determind better after I die.
Q. Which Government most nearly approaches your idea of an ideal Government?
A. None. It should be government wherein man reaches his full stature in every phase of life, and where his interests are paramount over all others.
Q. Will socialism accomplish that?
A. Not socialism, as it is practised politically today.
Asked if he would favour the retention of American and other foreign missionaries when India secured self-government, Gandhiji replied :
If instead of confining themselves purely to humanitarian work and material service to the poor, they do proselytizing by means of medical aid, education, etc., then I would certainly ask them to withdraw. Every nation's religion is as good as any other. Certainly India's religions are adequate for her people. We need no converting spiritually.
