sed with the completeness with which Sinn Feiners had carried the General Election of 19 18. The Sinn Feiners* refusal to take their seats in the Parliament, their efforts to organize a Government of their own, strongly appealed to him. Of course, he saw the limitations under which they were working and the difference between the conditions in Ireland and those in India. An adoption of the peaceful portions of the tactics of the Sinn Feiners, in the more favourable circumstances of India, with her large size, her distance from England and her countless millions, would, he was convinced bring greater pressure on our rulers, and compel them, in spite of their hesitation and caution, to revise the Government of India Act in the shortest time possible. Mr. Tilak had no mind to allow things to drift or leave them for an uncertain futurity to decide. '* Now and here '* the question must be satisfactorily and finally solved. No tinkering, no tardy instalments, no humili- ating examinations could be tolerated.
The immediate task before him, on his return from London, was, so to organise public opinion as to give a definite verdict on the Government of India Act. There was barely one month. He consulted his friends and associates in other parts of India. Very Uttle danger of opposition was anticipated. The Uttle contentment or rejoicing that existed was to be found only in the Moderate circles. The redoubtable Mrs. Besant was, of course, expected to put up a strong fight ; but she was working hopelessly against the tremendous force of the national sentiment and was bound to be worsted in the fray. Soon after the passing of the Government of India Act, was issued the Royal Procla-
