AMRITSAR RIOTS.

Gisborne Times, Volume LX, Issue 9800, 9 May 1924, Page 5

AMRITSAR RIOTS.

NATIVES TIED TO FRAME AND WHIPPED. EVIDENCE IN ALLEGED LIBEL CASE. LONDON, Alay 7. Sir" Alichael O’Dwyer, ex-Governor-Gc-ncral of Junjab, cross-examined in the libel case, gave evidence that 258 natives were flogged in connection with the disturbances at Amritsar. Men wore tied to a frame and whipped with a bamboo or cane, which was mild compared with tho cat. Sometimes natives asked to he caimu. instead of (jned. Replying to a question whether natives were flogged because they failed to salaam to an officer Sir AI. O’Dwyer replied: “A rumor was flying round the country that British rule had disappeared. One way to disprove tiu.s was to require the people to show traditional forms of respect. I disapproved of the salaaming order.” Later.

Sir AI. O’Dwyer, whose crossexamination in the Indian libel case lasted a couple of days, condemned the procedure of the. Hunter Committee, who inquired into the Amritsar affair. Ho declared that none of tho committee’s evidence was taken on oath, adding: “I went to the Hunter inquiry as a witness and was treated as a criminal. I was censured for an order I never .gave.” Mi- Justice McCardie emphasised tlie fact that the case depended on whether atrocities occurred, and whether O’Dwyer’ was responsible for them.

The hearing was adjourned.—A N.Z.C.A.