mation, so singularly noble in sentiment, so eloquent in style. It was calculated to rouse the imagination and evoke the gratitude of India. No doubt, Mr. Montague meant well by India and his appeal had the ring of sin-^ cerity. But the days of miracles are gone and Mr. Tilak knew full well that the magic wand of the Royal^ Proclamation would not, all of a sudden, transform the mentality of the governing class of India. He, therefore, publicly expressed his gratitude for the Royat message and promised responsive co-operation.
On the saintly and chivalrous mind of Mahatma Gandhi, the Royal Proclamation had a far different effect. He believed the message to be a distinct departure from the narrow lines of policy hitherto laid down and calculated to usher a new era in the national life of India. He. therefore, wanted to welcome the message without any reservations. He was strongly supported by Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya and Pandit Motilal Nehru.
At Amritsar, where the Congress met, a triangular fight was expected. There was enough courage or enthusiasm at the meeting. The question that occured to a thoughtful mind was " Would there be the necessary amount of tact, shrewdness and foresight which the occassion demanded ?" Mr. Gandhi's presence and arguments infused moral sublimity into the proceedings as was seen by the Resolution which condemned the excesses (April 19 19) of the infuriated mobs in the Punjab and other places. The question was whether the Congress would rise to the same height of statesmanship as it did to that of moral sublimity. What should be the wording of the resolution about the Reforms ?
