INDIAN DEMANDS

Greymouth Evening Star, 11 March 1922, Page 5

INDIAN DEMANDS

O MINISTER’S RESIGNATON. CORRESPONDENCE WITH PREMIER. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, March 9. Mr. Montagu, in a letter to Air. Lloyd George, says: ‘After our conversation this morning, I feel it my duty to resign. In sanctioning tho the publication of the views of the Government of India, I did not see much if anything, which they had not said again and again. Since the peace conference, I have been fully seized with the grave difficulties which resulted from the Treaty of Sevres in India, and I felt that I was doing my duty to do everything in my power to support the Government of India. When, therefore, I was assured that the Government of India regarded the matter as one of a great urgency, I felt justified in the action I took. 1 believe much would be gained, airi little lost, by the publicity of these matters.

J regret leaving the Government, butdespite the present difficulties. I feel tin- present policy of the Government in India will win through to success. Mr. Lloyd George, replying Io Mr. Montagu said: “1 do not doubt yon were actuated solely by a sense of public duly. Nevertheless, without pressing necessity, and without, consulting either the Cabinet, the Foreign Secretary, myself, or anyone of my colleagues. you published a telegram raising a question whose importance extends far beyond the frontiers of India-, or the responsibilities of your office. Such actions were totally incompatible with the collective responsibility of the Cabinet to the Sovereign and to Parliament. (hi reflection, I cannot doubt, that you will share my view I hat. after what occurred, we cannot usefully coo-perale in the same Cabinet. I must adil that the right of the Government of India to state its views

un the Eastern question is not m dispute. The Government has afforded . Mohammedan opinion in India ('very I possible opportunity of expressing i their views. If the Governments ol b the Empire were all to claim the > liberty of publishing declarations on ; matters vitally affecting the relations of the whole Empire with foreign powers, the unity of our foreign policy would be broken, ami the very existence of tin' Empire jeopardised. The moment chosen for your action, moreover. is indefensible from the stand- , point which must govern our action. . that, of broad Imperial interests. A ■ conference on the Near East is about • to take place, and the questions to bo discussed there are of the utmost delicacy. The weight of responsibility which tlie .Foreign Secretary will have to carry, will in tiny ease, be. most serious, and your action has added considerably to tho difficulties of a task, which is already difficult enough.” A post-script adds: “Publication of a telegram sent from you to the Viceroy would aggravate the had effects of the manifesto, ami the Government could not consent: to such a course.” Members of the House of Commons are eagerly discussing the situation, which has arisen as the result of the resignation of Air. Alontagn. Not much, sympathy is being shown for the fallen Alinistor, the majority being openly delighted at his departure. Various names are mentioned as his successor, including Lords Devonshire, 1 Derby, Crawford and Air. Churchill. I ANGLO- INDIA NS' ( HMN lONS. LONDON, Al arch 9. Lord Sydenham (ex-lndian Governor) interviewed, says: “The Government. of India’s step re Turkey is a 1

dangerous precedent, which is thor oughly unconstitutional, though it it • natural that, being in a position ol > the gravest difficulty, which Mr. Alon- - tagu’s guidance helped to create, the . Government, should grasp at any straw which it’ lias been induced to think . might help to save the situation. I do not believe the fulfilment of Lord Reading's demands, which is impossible, would have the smallest effect in ameliorating tho dangerous position in India, where the Alohammedan excitement has passed beyond ocntrol. General Sir O’Alooro C'reagh considers Lord Reading’s proposals arc an absolutely cowardly surrender to Dr. Gandhi, and are opposed to the wishes of the orthodox Alohammedans in India. Lord Islington welcomes Lord Read ing’s proposals, which, he says, are similar to his own recommendations, made in the House of Lords. Every effort, he said, should be made to slop Greece’s aggressive war against Turkey. ADVICE TO CABINET, t* (“Times” Service), LONDON, Alareh 10. The “Times,’’ in a leader, stales that Air. Montagu’s resignation will cause no regret, but harm is done co National and Imperial interests so far leaching, that it will be necessary to take urgent; steps to prevent its spread, and persuade ■ Indian opinion that the resignation does not indicate any weakening of the Imperial Government’s efforts to secure, the fullest and most favourable treatment of Alahommetvin aspirations. Similarly, no pains should be spared to. make plain Britain’s position regarding the Near East, during the forthcoming negotiations with oux Allies, and- what remedial steps will be taken. Lack of co-ordination in the Government remains the cliiel cause which made Air. Alontagu’s conductpossible. The Government must give some proof of power to deal coherently and firmly with great Imperial issues, or give place to some administration less dangerously divided against itself. POSSIBLE SUCCESSOR. LONDON, Alareh 10. , Air. Bonar Law is- among tlie pro- , table successors to Air. Montagu. Mr. Floyd George has started for Criccieth.