It is equally unfortunate for the Viceroy to say that the boycott of the welcome meant an affront to the British people. His Excellency does not ralise what grievous wrong he is doing to his own people by confusing them with the British administration in India. Does he wish India to infer that the British administrators here represent the British people and that the agitation directed against their methods is an agitation against the British people. If such is the Viceregal contention and if to conduct a vigorous and effective agitation against the methods of the bureaucracy and to describe them in their true colours is an affront to the British people, then I am afraid I must plead guilty.
But, then, I must also say in all humility that the Viceroy has entirely misread and misunderstood the great national awakening that is taking place in India. I repeat, for the thousandth time, that it is not hostile to any nation or any body of men, but it is deliberately aimed at the system under which the Government of India is being to-day conducted and I promise that no threats and no enforcement of threats by the Viceroy or any body of men will strangle that agitation or send to rest that awakening.
