Suicide as a Weapon.

The issue of the latest phase of the struggle between Gandhi and the British Government is obscure at time of writing, but the impression made by his threat to fast to the death is significant of the gap between East and West. Ordinarily, a British political negotiator proceeds along reasoned lines of compromise. He rearranges the political fabric till it appears to suit; and the proposal to give “the untouchables” separate electoral representation seems to have had no purpose other than political adjustment. Gandhi, however, professes to see in it disruption of Hinduism.

His hunger strike (till death) has surprised the West, not only because it is new tactics but because it is a tactical plan which, if once successful, might be heard of again.