During this time the war had
entered a critical phase. Britain and France were in a difficult position. In
the spring of 1917 Germany had inflicted crushing defeats on both the British
and French troops in France. Russia’s war efforts had broken down and the
revolution was threatening its government. Though America had entered the war,
no American troops had yet reached the battle-front.
The Viceroy of India, Lord
Chelmsford, invited various Indian leaders to attend a War Conference. Gandhi
was also invited. He accepted the invitation and went to Delhi. Gandhi was not
happy that leaders like Tilak or the Alibrothers had not been invited to the
conference, so he felt unwilling to attend. After meeting the Viceroy, however,
he attended the conference.
The Viceroy was very keen that
Gandhi should support the resolution on recruiting.
Gandhi spoke only one sentence:
“With a full sense of my responsibility I beg to support the resolution”