M. K. GANDHI 53 momentous need for India. No wonder, an air of hope and expectancy hung over the whole country. Soon after Lord Reading arrived in India, an inter- view was arranged by Pandit Malaviya between the new Viceroy and Mr. Gandhi. This interview, which lasted many hours, took place at Simla in May 1921. Much speculation was rife as to its result and Mr. Gandhi explained the circumstances and the results of his talk in in article in Y mmg India under the title " The Simla Visit." What was the upshot of the visit? The leader of the Non-Co-operation movement and the head of the Government of India got to know each other. It was a great thing. But the immediate result of this was the statement issued by the Ali Brothers--a statement in which they regretted their occasional lapse into excessive language and promised to refrain from writing or speaking in any man- ner likely to provoke violence. This " definite result of the interview " was claimed as a victory for the Govern- ment. Others claimed that it was a victory for Mr. Gandhi who explained that it was no apology or undertaking to the Government but a reassertion of the principle of non- violence to which the Ali Brothers had subscribed. It was a statement to the public irrespective of what the Govern- ment might or might not do with them. In answer to criticisms against his advice to the Brothers, Mr. Gandhi stoutly defended his action, and praised the Brothers;' attitude. Indeed Mr. Gandhi’s loyalty to his colleagues and particularly his affectionate and fraternal regard for the brothers is beautiful and touching to a degree. And when in September 1921 the Brothers were prosecuted by the Bombay Government, Mr. Gandhi with fifty others issued a public manifesto that " it is the inherent right of every one to express his opinion without restraint about the propriety of citizens offering their services to, or remaining in the employ of the Government whether in the civil or the military department."
