Page:The Life of Lokamanya Tilak.djvu/278

 The old guard of the Moderate Party could not muster up courage to ** pinprick " the British Lion in the midst of his struggle. Mrs. Besant, however, cordially supported Mr. Tilak, for she knew the value of world- propaganda. In the Lucknow Congress, Mr. Tilak's scheme for a vigilant Executive for the Congress was ruled out of order. His persistent attempts to get the sanction of the Congress for a strong deputation met with tardy and nominal success. A deputation was agreed upon ; but every excuse was found for delay ; and when at last, procrastination was impossible, was received the cable of Sir WilUam Wedderbum advising delay. In the meanwhile, judgment in England was going against us by default. The Sydenham group was busy as ever ; India's " representatives " like the Maharaja of Bikaner declared that India wanted not Swaraj but only a little dose of Reforms ; the tide of repression was merrily flowing in. Finding the big Moderate guns immoveable, Mr. Tilak sent out the inde- fatigable and enterprising Mr. Baptista for pioneer work in England. The goodwill and co-operation of the Labour Party was secured ; and yet a well-organised propaganda was to be carried on. In the meanwhile, Mr. Montague himself had come over to India to look into India's grievances ; this was a further excuse for delay. At last both Mr. Tilak and Mrs. Besant decided to send their own " Home Rule Deputations " to England and herein they were wise, as later, the All-India Congress Committee decided not to send out a deputation until the Montague Report was out and the Special Session of the Congress had pronounced India's verdict there- upon.