FLOGGINGS AT AMRITSAR

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 192, 9 May 1924, Page 7

FLOGGINGS AT AMRITSAR

SIR MICHAEL O’DWYEB’S EXPLANATION.

London, May 7. Sir Michael O’Dwyer, cross-examined during the libel action, said that 208 people were flogged in connection with the disturbances at Amritsar. lhe men were tied to a frame and whipped with a bamboo or a cane, whioli was mild compared with the “cat. Sometimes the natives asked to be caned instead of being fined. Replying to a question as to whether a native was flogged because he failed to salaam to an officer, Sir Michael O’Dwyer replied: “A rumour was flying round the country that British rule had disappeared. One way to disprove this was to require the people to show the traditional forms of respect. I disapproved of the salaaming order.” — Aus—N.Z. Cable Assn.

PROCEDURE OF THE HUNTER COMMITTEE. (Rec. May 8, 5.5 p.m.) London, May 7. Sir Michael O’Dwyer, whose crossexamination lasted a couple of days, to-dav condemned the procedure of the Hunter Committee which inquired into the Amritzar affair. He declared that none of its evidence was taken on oath, and added: “I went to the Hunter inquiry as a witness, and was treated as a criminal. I. was censuriu for an order I never gave.” Mr. Justice McCardie emphasised that the case depended on whether atrocities occurred, and whether O’Dwyer was responsible for them. Tho hearing was adjourned.—Reuter.