part in the Conference. This was in

effect the Viceroy’s argument : c Surely you do not believe that the Viceroy knows everything done by the British Cabinet. I do not claim, no one claims,
450 MY EXPERIMENTS WITH TRUTH
that the British Government is infallible. But if you agree that the Empire has been, on the whole, a power for good, if you believe that India has, on the whole, benefited by the British connection, would you not admit that it is the duty of every Indian citizen to help the Empire in the hour of its need ? I too have read what the British papers say about the secret treaties. I can assure you that I know nothing beyond what the papers say, and you know the canards that these papers frequently start. Can you, acting on a mere newspaper report, refuse help to the Empire at such a critical juncture ? You may raise what¬ ever moral issues you like and challenge us asmuch as you please after the con¬ clusion of the War, not today.’
The argument was not new. It appeal¬ ed to me as new because of the manner in which, and the hour at which, it was presented, and I agreed to attend the Con¬ ference. As regards the Muslim demands I was to address a letter to the Viceroy.