BY GANDHI
Friends have sent me two newspaper cuttings criticising my appeal to the Jews. Thetwo critics suggest that in presenting non-violence to the Jews as a remedyagainst the wrong done to them I have suggested nothing new, and that they havebeen practising non-violence for the past two thousand years. Obviously, so faras these critics are concerned, I did not make my meaning clear. The Jews, sofar as I know, have never practised non-violence as an article of faith or evenas a deliberate policy. Indeed, it is a stigma against them that theirancestors crucified Jesus. Are they not supposed to believe in eye for an eyeand tooth for a tooth? Have they no violence in their hearts for theiroppressors? Do they not want the so-called democratic powers to punish Germanyfor her persecution and to deliver them from oppression? If they do, there isno non-violence in their hearts. Their non-violence, if it may be so called, isof the helpless and the weak.
What I have pleaded for is renunciation of violence of the heart and consequentactive exercise of the force generated by the great renunciation. One of thecritics says that favourable public opinion is necessary for the working ofnon-violence. The writer is evidently thinking of passive resistance conceivedas a weapon of the weak. I have drawn a distinction between passive resistanceof the weak and active non-violent resistance of the strong. The latter can anddoes work in the teeth of the fiercest opposition. But it ends in evoking thewidest public sympathy. Sufferings of the non-violent have been known to meltthe stoniest hearts. I make bold to say that if the Jews can summon to theiraid the soul power that comes only from non-violence, Herr Hitler will bowbefore the courage which he has never yet experienced in any large measure inhis dealings with men, and which, when it is exhibited, he will own isinfinitely superior to that shown by his best storm troopers. The exhibition ofsuch courage is only possible for those who have a living faith in the God ofTruth and Non-violence, i.e., Love.
Of course, the critics can reasonably argue that the non-violence pictured byme is not possible for masses of mankind, it is possible only for the very fewhighly developed persons. I have combated that view and suggested that, givenproper training and proper generalship, non-violence can be practised by massesof mankind.
I see, however, that my remarks are being misunderstood to mean that because Iadvise non-violent resistance by the persecuted Jews, by inference I expect orwould advise non-interference by the democratic Powers on behalf of the Jews. Ihardly need to answer this fear. Surely there is no danger of the great Powersrefraining from action because of anything I have said. They will, they arebound to, do all they can to free the Jews from the inhuman persecution. Myappeal has force in the face of the fact that the great Powers feel unable tohelp the Jews in an effective manner. Therefore it is that I have offered theprescription which I know to be infallible when taken in the right manner.
The most relevant criticism, however, which I have received is this: How do Iexpect the Jews to accept my prescription when I know that India, where I ammyself working, where I call myself the self-appointed general, has notaccepted it in toto. My answer is: "Blessed are they that expectnothing." I belong to the category of the blessed, in this case at least. Havinggot the prescription and being sure of its efficacy, I felt that I would bewrong if I did not draw attention to it when I saw cases where it could be effectivelyapplied.
Hitherto I have refused to deal with European politics. My general positionstill remains the same. I presented my remedy almost in suppressed tones in thecase of Abyssinia. The cases of the Czechs and the Jews became more vivid to methan the case of the Abyssinians. And I could not restrain myself from writing.Perhaps Dr. Mott was right when he said to me the other day that I must writemore and more articles like those on the Czechs and the Jews, if only becausethey must aid me in the Indian struggle. He said that the West was never moreprepared than now to listen to the message of non-violence.
Segaon, December 9, 1938