ARREST OF MR. GANDHI.

GOVERNMENT ACTION.

Last night we learned from the India Office that a telegram had been received there announcing that Gandhi had been arrested, thus confirming rumours to that effect which had been current during the afternoon and evening.

It is understood that at the time of despatching the message making this announcement no troubles of any kind had taken place. The charge upon which the arrest was effected is sedition.

The arrest, it is understood, took place at Ahmedabad, when, according to report, Mr. Gandhi had left for Ajmere. It was effected, as the Central News understands, without being accompanied by any trouble or disturbance.

In a telegram sent from Delhi on Thursday and received last night, the special correspondent in India of the Chicago Tribune states:

The decision to arrest Gandhi, it is believed, follows a serious development of the non-co-operation movement in Oudh, where some elements of the party are continuing individual disobedience. Pressure has been brought to bear on the Government from London combined with a feeling among the members here that the time has come definitely to check the activities of Gandhism at all points of action before the Prince of Wales leaves India.

“The Legislative Assembly has unanimously thrown out a motion to ask the Viceroy to release the Ali Brothers, the Mohammedan leaders of the non-co-operation party, who were sent to gaol in November. This action of the Assembly indicates that they are ready to give the Government support in the arrest of the Mahatma.

“The members of the Democratic party are asking certain concessions on the Budget. The leaders declare they are able to muster seventy votes to block the Budget on new taxation, unless their demands are met. This, with other scattering votes, is probably sufficient to defeat the measure.”

AGAINST SEDITION.

That there is a rising tide of moderate Indian opinion which is determined to support the Government in stamping out the dangerous activities of agitators was indicated by the reception given to a motion demanding the release of the Ali brothers in the Assembly. Following Lord Rawlinson’s grave warning as to the inflammable nature of the situation, Sir William Vincent’s strong speech carried complete conviction to the Indian majority, and the debate terminated abruptly with insistent-demands from the Indian members that the question be put. When the mover insisted on a division not a single member rose in support of the proposal, which was declared unanimously rejected.

The general opinion is that the gravity of the situation is becoming so increasingly recognised by the moderate element that the Government may now count upon solid support for any action they may decide upon against Gandhi and other fomenters of revolution.

POSITION IN OUDH.

Barabanki, which not long ago was one of the most turbulent districts in Oudh, is now said to be the quietest place in the province. All political activities are in a state of suspended animation owing to the authorities’ firmness in arresting a large number of volunteers. The district, however, is full of inflammable material. The “Aika” movement has not yet made its appearance there, but volunteers released from gaol are preparing the villagers for civil disobedience. The most disturbing feature in Barabanki is the alarming increase of dacoities, which many attribute to volunteers. The dacoits always come in gangs, armed with swords and spears, and raise the cry of “Gandhi-ki-jai” and “Khilafat-ki-jai.”