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 millions unarmed and accustomed to foreign rule for centuries, we will not succeed in the civil disobedience movement which I have decided to launch.”

“No,” I differed, “I do not think that. I believe that history is moving fast and that before long you will be an independent country like China. The struggle you began years ago cannot end in any other way.”

“I do not want to be independent like China,” he said with great stress. “China is helpless even now and in spite of Chiang Kai-shek. Notwithstanding China’s heroism and her readiness to risk all in this war, China is not yet completely free. China should be able to say to America and England, ‘We will fight our battle of independence single-handed, without your aid.’ That I would call independence.”

I asked him how he got on in his long interview with Chiang. “Very well,” he replied.

“Only you did not understand him,” I smiled, “and he did not understand you.”

“I found him inscrutable,” Gandhi admitted. “Maybe it was the matter of language. We spoke through Madame Chiang. But I do not think it was only that.”

“Of course China is not completely free,” I said, reverting to the subject, “but freedom does not come in a day. Through this war, if we win it,