"American Gandhi"

Came last week dread "Gandhi Day," the 30th day since St. Gandhi was imprisoned, the day appointed by his followers for "overwhelming demonstrations in the cause of Independence."

Because these ominous 24 hours were not marked by any violent atrocity, residents in the British Isles breathed easier, but Britons on the spot continued acutely anxious as tens of thousands of natives in small white "Gandhi caps" paraded through Bombay, thousands through such cities as Calcutta and Madras. At Poona paraders carried a likeness of George V festooned with old shoes. From the Afghan frontier came news that shrewd Afghan traders were refusing Indian coins stamped with the Emperor's head, saying "George's head is like Amanullah's* now--no good!"

Major developments in the Indian crises: 1) Gandhites intensified their "pay no taxes" campaign and taxpayers struck in some 70 towns; 2) the National Bank of India and a number of adjoining shops at Delhi burned for a $550,000 loss in "mysterious circumstances" concealed by censorship; 3) at the summer palace of Viceroy Baron Irwin at Simla, India, His Excellency showed no sign of weakening in his policy, maintained a firm tone and began to study the first section of the Simon report on India; 4) natives at Poona, a few days after the parade, were preparing further to "revolt" by sending stock to the forests to feed, thus breaking the grazing tax; 5) at Manhattan, the Bishop of Bombay (Methodist Episcopal) warned thus: "Americans seem to have an idea that all India is out for independence. . . . The Independent native states which make up 39% of India geographically are not on Gandhi's side. . . . There is an 'American Gandhi' who really has never existed."

*Deposed King of Afghanistan (TIME, July IS).

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