Page:MKGandhi patriot.djvu/121

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time was needed to arouse interest. Then, too, its production involved considerable initial expense, as it was published in English, Tamil, Gujarati, and Hindi, with a very limited circulation.

Its mission appeared, however, to Mr. Gandhi to be so essential to his dream, that during the first twelve months he supplied for its working expenses about £2,000 from his own income. Fortunately, at a critical moment, £1,600 of this amount had come to him from the Municipality of Johannesbug, through costs awarded in a succession of law-suits.

Since then, "Indian Opinion" has done very fine service to the Indian community. Undoubtedly, Passive Resistance would have been impossible without it. It has been a wonderful educational force, and under the able and cultured editorship of Mr. Polak its influence promises to be still greater. But at the close of the first year, as the deficit was so large, it became necessary for Mr. Gandhi either to close the venture or to assume the entire charge himself. He decided on the latter course, and has borne the responsibility ever since. It has, however, been a constant tax on him, as "Indian Opinion" has never paid its way.

In 1904, Mr. Gandhi dreamed another dream.