Page:Mahatma Gandhi, his life, writings and speeches.djvu/360

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………Mr. Gandhi has not entered on the struggle without the fullest realisation of the situation and certainly he has not entered on it in light-hearted spirit. He knows that odds this time are tremendously against Indians. The Government will not yield if it can help it. The Imperial Government will be reluctant to exert any further pressure in favour of passive resistance and among Indians themselves already exhausted by the last struggle weakened persons will be found shrinking from sacrifices involved and advocating submission. But Mr. Gandhi is full of courage and what is more he is full of hope. He has planned his campaign carefully and whether he succeeds or fails he will push on like a hero to the end. The struggle this time, as I have already pointed out, is not confined to one province but extends to the whole of South Africa and not only men but women are taking part in it. From what I have seen of Mr. Gandhi's hold over our countrymen in South Africa, I have no doubt in my mind that thousands will be glad to suffer under his banner and his spirit will inspire them all. The last telegram which I had from him two days ago speaks in enthusiastic terms of bravery and heroism which women who are taking part in the struggle are showing. They are courting arrest. They put up with ill-treatment and even assaults without