Page:The Life of Lokamanya Tilak.djvu/245

 The Premier even went out of his way and suggested that an attempt must be made to catch the imagination of Indians and to stimulate their enthusiasm. But Lord Chelmsford himself lacked that precious quality of imagination and his associates wanted rather to damp than rouse the enthusiasm of the people. Had a Round-table Conference of India's trusted leaders been convened and the necessity of supplying strong contingents been explained to them, a few lakhs of young Indians would have at once joined the colours. It is, indeed, pitiable to find that the officials did not display even a fraction of that enthusiasm in raising citizen soldiers which they did in collecting the war-loan. A Defence India Force of 6,000 was advertised for ; 6,000 in thirty crores of people ! ! The necessary Bill was passed. No assurance was given with regard to Home Rule, no assurance with regard to commissioned ranks to the Volunteers ! Still the enthusiasm of the people knew no bounds. Mr. Tilak led the agitation at Poona and Bombay by powerful speeches, calling upon the youth, as they valued their country's freedom to suspend studies for a year or two and vindicate the fair name of their country. " If age and grey hair are no disqualifications, I am prepared to stand in the fighting line." said he I But it was to no purpose. Eight hundred men at Bombay volunteered themselves on the spot. It seemed as if the Bureaucrats did not want the help. They signalized their appeal for the " Defence of India Force " by a resort to the notorious " Defence of India Act."! ! A few hours before Mr. Tilak's powerful appeal to the young men, he was served with an order from the Punjab Government prohibiting him from entering the 15