Talks with Sri Aurobindo

11 AUGUST 1940

PURANI: It seems that behind Japan's demand for naval military bases in Indo-China, there must be Hitler's pressure on the Pétain Government to accede to the Japanese demand.

SRI AUROBINDO: Quite possible.

PURANI: Hitler may want the Japanese to act as a check against the British and keep them engaged in the East while he carries the invasion.

SRI AUROBINDO: Perhaps. Japan is still talking only of Indo-China, the East Indies and the South Sea Isles and not talking furtherr than that. But she may start an attack on Singapore after settling in those places. In that way the Japanese are a remarkable people. To them the first thing comes first; they can wait for the next. Once their scheme is fixed, they can wait for years to carry it out, and when the right moment comes they strike. Japan's influence in the East is, of course, good for us. It will serve as a counterpoise against Hitler and Stalin if England goes down and in the meantime we can prepare as much as we can unless we fly at each other's throat. We heard the other day—I don't know where—maybe on the radio, that the Kuomintang met and spoke of reducing the suffering of the people. The leaders wanted to adopt a pro-Fascist policy by lining up with Germany. That means the whole of the Far East for Japan. There was no confirmation of that news.

PURANI: Everybody is becoming pro-German now. The result of the French collapse.

SRI AUROBINDO: Yes, they think England will go down but are not quite sure. This is the first time the French Government is yielding like that—so flat and miserable. It must be very decadent

SATYENDRA: Malaviya is doing Shanti Swastyana now.

NIRODBARAN: There was in the New Statesman and Nation controversy over the efficacy of prayer. A taxi-driver said that the Belgian defection was the result of prayer.

SRI AUROBINDO: A humorous taxi-driver!

SATYENDRA: And another person said that the evacuation at Dunkirk was also the result of prayer.

NIRODBARAN: Some people here said jokingly that the Mother's gift to France was responsible for its collapse, as it came one week after the gift and they hope that England won't suffer such consequences after her gift to England.

SRI AUROBINDO: It may be said that this Channel-victory (sixty German planes lost) was due to that. Others may say something else. But the real purpose of the gift was to counteract the pro-Nazi propaganda in the Ashram and in that respect it has been successful.

PURANI: Hitler's 10th August has passed and nothing has happened.

SRI AUROBINDO: Yes. The threat to Indo-China, may be this event of the 10oth.

EVENING

SATYENDRA: One M.P. has contributed one lakh pounds to replace the sixteen British aeroplanes lost in the last German raid. Madras has given some money for two aeroplanes—whether for training or for the air force, we don't know.

SRI AUROBINDO: The Madras squadron of one aeroplane. (Laughter)

NIRODBARAN: Dr. Mahendra Sircar has written to Charu Dutt that the Mother's gift to the Indian Government has surprised many in Calcutta. He wants some elucidation.

SATYENDRA: Why has Mahendra Sircar suddenly taken interest?

SRI AUROBINDO: There have been many others. Somebody has come from Calcutta to get elucidation on it. Jatin Sen Gupta protested at first when we gave ten thousand francs to France. But this gift to the Indian Government he has appreciated. But it should be plain enough: I want Hitler to be knocked down.

NIRODBARAN: I don't understand how Dr. Sircar can ask that question. Is he anti-British?

PURANI: Doesn't he know what will happen to him if Hitler comes to India?

SRI AUROBINDO: He will lose his pension or Mussolini may allow it for the sake of old times!