Page:The Life of Lokamanya Tilak.djvu/191

 ger of the Indian Specie Bank and Vice-Chairman of the Surat Reception Committee, accompanied by two other gentlemen, went in his un-ofhcial Capacity and on his own account, to Mr. Tilak and proposed that he intended' to arrange for a meeting that night between Mr. Tilak and Mr. Gokhale at the residence of a leading Congressman to settle the diSerences. Mr. Tilak agreed and requested Mr. Chunilal if an interview could be arranged, to fix the time in consultation with Mr. Gokhale adding that he (Mr. Tilak) would be glad to be present at the place of the interview at any hour of the night. Thereupon, Mr. Chunilal left Mr. Tilak, but no word from him was received by the latter that night.

On the morning of Friday the 27th, (iia.m.) Mr. Chunilal Saraya again saw Mr. Tilak and requested him to go in company with Mr. Khaparde to Prof. Gaj jar's bungalow near the Congress pandal where, by appoint- ment, they were to meet Dr. Rutherford, M.P., who was trying for a reconciliation. Messrs. Tilak and Khaparde went to Prof. Gajjar's, but Dr. Rutherford could not come there owing to other engagements. Mr. Tilak then decided, as no settlement was arrived at privately owing to every leading Congressman being unwilling to take am^ responsibility in the matter upon himself, to propose that the business of the election of the President should be adjourned and a Committee of one leading Moderate and one leading Nationalist from each Congress Province wdth Dr. Rutherford's name added, be appointed to consider and settle the differences existing between the two parties, both of which should accept the Committee's decision as final and then proceed to the unanimous election of