द इण्डियन स्ट्रगल / भारतीय स्वाधीनता संग्राम (नेताजी सुभाष चन्द्र बोस - ऐतिहासिक विश्लेषण)

258 THE INDIAN STRUGGLE
.ness and universal love, he accepted as his hostess an English
lady. As contrasted with the Mahatma, the Irish Sinn Fein
delegation to London in 1921 had lived a different life. They
used to live entirely among themselves and avoid all social
engagements with Britishers, though attempts were made to
drag the delegation into them. This aloofness and indifference
had impressed British politicians much more than the
Mahatma’s friendliness did. But being a world-teacher, the
Mahatma had his own code of ethics.
There is no doubt that in 1930, when the Mahatma was in
prison, he had exerted a much greater influence on the
Round Table Conference. At the Conference, the Indian
Liberal politicians had fully exploited his influence. But
when he appeared in person and all alone, he lost much of
the glamour and the halo that had attached to his name. He
was at a physical disadvantage, being a single frail individual
in a group of 107. If he had accepted the offer made by the
Government, of fifteen or sixteen seats for the Congress
Delegation, his position would have been stronger. His
colleagues would have been of great help to him in meeting,
and crossing swords with, a solid phalanx of reactionaries.
Moreover, the Mahatma did not seem to be cut out for the
rôle of a bargainer. He therefore met the fate which over-
took President Wilson at the time of the Versailles Treaty.
The Professor-President of America was no match for the
Welsh wizard, Mr. Lloyd George—nor was the saint-
politician from India any match for the wily Mr. Ramsay
Macdonald. On the British side, the Mahatma was handled
very tactfully. He had on the whole a very friendly welcome
in England which he recognised publicly before he left the
country. Special facilities were afforded him while moving
about in London. On the plea of guarding his person, two
stalwarts from Scotland Yard were detailed to be near him
—so that the authorities had not the slightest difficulty in
knowing everything about his daily routine and engagements.
I have not been able to understand why the Mahatma
accepted this escort from Scotland Yard. If an escort was
really necessary, his numerous admirers and followers in
London could have easily served the purpose.