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

MAHATMA GANDHI IN EUROPE 261
the International Labour Office and that was about all.
However, the most useful part of his time in Switzerland was
spent in the company of that great man and thinker—that
great friend of India and India’s culture, M. Romain
Rolland. India to-day has not a warmer friend outside her
shores than this great soul, and therefore the Mahatma
rendered a great public service to India by spending some of
his time in the company of the French savant. From Switzer-
land the Mahatma travelled to Italy. He was given a warm
reception by the Government and the people of Italy, and
was received in audience by the head of the Government,
Signor Mussolini. That meeting was certainly an historic
one. The Dictator of Italy conveyed his best wishes for the
success of the Mahatma’s efforts. It was the only occasion
on the Continent that the Mahatma came into contact with a
man who really counts in the politics of modern Europe.
The Mahatma’s attitude towards the Fascist authorities,
including his attendance at a demonstration of the Fascist
boys (the Balilla) was severely criticised in anti-Fascist circles.
But there is no doubt that from the point of view of India,
the Mahatma rendered great public service by his visit to
Italy. The only regret is that he did not stay there longer
and did not cultivate more personal contacts.
Reviewing the Mahatma’s visit to Europe as a whole, one
must say that it is to be regretted that he spent so much of
his time in England and so little on the Continent. Even on
the Continent he did not devote sufficient time or attention
to politicians, industrial magnates and other people who
really count in present-day politics. There were many
countries on the Continent eagerly expecting a visit from
him and where he would have received a most cordial
reception. If he had desired, he could without difficulty,
have come in touch with the most important individuals and
organisations in Europe—to the great benefit of India. But
may be, that did not interest him so much. Outside India he
had another rôle to play besides that of a politician and it is
not always easy to play two rôles in one person.