by War Resisters’ International

Editor’s Preface: These two articles are from The War Resister: Quarterly News Sheet of the War Resisters’ International, issue XXVII, Winter 1930-1931. As we have noted in the preface of the Gandhi statement also posted under this date, the European peace movements were divided over the influence of Gandhian nonviolence. Even by the early 1930s some European intellectuals such as Bart de Ligt were convinced of the possibility of another world war. It is against this dramatic background that the debates about Gandhian nonviolence must be seen. Please also see the archive reference information and acknowledgments at the end, and also consult our WRI project category to access de Ligt’s and other articles on the debate with Gandhi. JG

Article One: A Message to Gandhi

The first message to reach Mahatma Gandhi from British shores after the Civil Disobedience Campaign commenced [1929-30] was from the Executive of the War Resisters’ International. It read: “(We) are watching with intense interest the progress of your campaign in India. In accordance with the principles of the W.R.I, we believe in the possibility of overthrowing imperialism by pacifist means, and we rejoice that you are relying upon the method of nonviolence. We send you our love and sympathy in the hardships and difficulties which you will undoubtedly have to face and assure you that we will do our best by propaganda in whatever circles will be open to us, to assist you in your fight for truth and justice.”

Further, the War Resisters’ International, together with many of its Sections, has been working:

1. that full responsible Government for India should be the basis of the Round-Table Conference;

2. that the terms of reference to the Conference should be to prepare a constitution and arrange the length of the transition period;

3. that it should be recognised that at the end of this transition period the responsible Indian Government should have the right to decide whether India should remain within the Empire or not. It is the accepted view of all three Parties in Great Britain that if a Dominion desires to secede from the Empire, no attempt would be made to force her to remain within it;

4. that the Indian States should be encouraged to enter into a loose federation with the Central Indian Government, with the view to closer association at the end of the transition period;

5. for a political amnesty, which we consider absolutely essential.

Article Two: Satyagraha

Since the publication of the last War Resister [1930], a provisional agreement has been arrived at between Mahatma Gandhi and the British Government. Peace and a satisfactory settlement of the Indian problem are not yet secured, but the temporary agreement in spite of its incompleteness is a tremendous victory won by the method of nonviolence and non-cooperation with tyranny. The example set by Mahatma Gandhi and his followers, together with the response, which it has gained from the late Viceroy, Lord Irwin, is a historic event of great significance. The British members of the International [WRI] Council have cooperated in the production of an 8 page, monthly newssheet called Indian Events, giving facts, which are unfortunately seldom printed in the general press. During the course of the Civil Disobedience struggle, Indian Events was able to publish the pledge, which directed the action and behaviour of the Satyagrahis (followers of Gandhi). It is well for us to recall this pledge, as it may well be adopted by every war resister.

The Pledge

(1) A Satyagrahi will harbour no anger.

(2) He will suffer the anger of the opponent.

(3) In so doing he will put up with assault from the opponent, and never retaliate; but he will not submit, out of fear of punishment or the like, to any order given in anger.

(4) When any person in authority seeks to arrest a Satyagrahi he will voluntarily submit to the arrest and will not resist the attachment or removal of his own property, if any, when the authorities seek to confiscate it.

(5) If a Satyagrahi has any property in his possession as a trustee, he will refuse to surrender it, even though in defending it he might lose his life. He will, however, never retaliate.

(6) Non-retaliation excludes swearing and cursing.

(7) Therefore a Satyagrahi will never insult his opponent, and therefore also not take part in many of the newly coined cries which are contrary to the spirit of ahimsa, i.e., nonviolence.

(8) A Satyagrahi will not salute the Union Jack, nor will he insult it or officials, English or Indian.

(9) In the course of the struggle if anyone insults an official or permits an assault upon him, a Satyagrahi will protect such official or officials from the insult or attack even at the risk of his life.

The fact that a people of 350 million have sought their liberty by such lofty methods marks an immense step forward in the struggle of mankind. History may yet record a great victory.

Reference: Both articles, IISG/WRI Archive Box 116p: Folder 1, Subfolder 1. We are grateful to WRI/London and their director Christine Schweitzer for their cooperation in our WRI project.