Page:Fischer - A Week with Gandhi.pdf/43

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ters would require cooperation and common effort.”

“Could the terms of this collaboration,” I urged, “be set forth in a treaty of alliance?”

“Yes,” he said, “we could have a written agreement with England.”

“Or with Britain, America and the others,” I amplified.

He nodded his head in assent.

“Why have you never said this?” I asked. “I must confess that when I heard of your proposed civil disobedience movement I was prejudiced against it. I believed that it would impede the prosecution of the war. I think the war has to be fought and won. I see complete darkness for the world if the Axis wins. I think we have a chance for a better world if we win.”

“There I cannot quite agree,” he argued. “Britain often cloaks herself in a cloth of hypocrisy, promising what she later doesn’t deliver. But I accept the proposition that there is a better chance if the democracies win.”

“It depends on the kind of peace we make,” I said.

“It depends on what you do during the war,” he corrected.

“I would like to tell you,” I began, “that American statesmen have great sympathy for the cause