CALM IN INDIA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18040, 15 March 1922, Page 7

CALM IN INDIA.

THE ARREST OF GANDHI.

NEWS RECEIVED QUIETLY

SHORT-LIVED HARTALS. CONDEMNATION IN PRESS. By Te!e3rai)k—PrM9 Association—Copyright. ißeceived 5.30 p.m.)' A. and N.Z. DELHI. March 13The arrest of Gandhi was received quietly throughout India. Allahabad declared a hartal during the evening of Saturday, but next morning all the shops were reopened. At Bombay and Lahore there wag perfect quiet.

At Madras a mild demonstration, including a largo bonfire of foreign clothes, was made as a protest against Gandhi's arrest.

The newspaper Leader of Allahabad described the arrest as a masterpiece of official ineptitude. Tho Patrika declaied that the arrest was an earnest of a step forward in tho policy of repression.

A correspondent says that the mere .'■ct of tho arrest of Gandhi while the Prince is in India may be regarded as a sure indication that the situation is still most serious.

THE MONTAGU AFFAIR.

INDIAN OPINION DIVIDED

Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Reed. 7.35 p.m.) DELHI, March 13-

The resignation of Mr. E. S. Montagu came as a bombshell in India. The impression is prevalent that the Viceroy's resignation is also involved, but the cases arc regarded as not analogous. Among Indian members of the Council of State and the Legislative Assembly there is much disappointment over tho resignation.

J Tho newspapers disclose a remarkable diversity of opinion. Some declare that Mr. Montagu is one of tho greatest men in India's history and is not ablo to be replaced. Others regard him as a political charlatan, responsible for tho pre&ent seditious condition of the country. Most of tho responsible organs consider that great credit is duo to him for the boldness of his reforms, but condemn the alleged political expediency which made him undermine the p° wer of the Indian Government, and adopt a policy of kid glove conciliation instead of firm action against sedition-mongering. PUBLICATION OF MESSAGE. GOVERNMENT'S VERSION. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Reed. 6.30 p.m.) LONDON, March 13.

Mr. Austen Chamberlain, replying to ' questions in the Houso of Commons, pointed out that Mr. E. S. Montagu circulated Lord Reading's message among the Cabinet Ministers on March 4. and on the same day Mr. Montagu telegraphed authorising its publication >n Tndia. The Cabinet met on March 6. Before tho meeting Lord Curzon and he (Mr. Chamberlain) agreed that publication of tho meßsago was not desirable. Both were then unaware that its publication could be prevented. Lord Curzon will reply to Mr. Montagu on Tuesday. Tho House of Commons is to debate the subject on Wednesday. The Daily News emphasises the rumour that Lord Curzon is desirous of resigning owing to ill-health, but will not resign before the Montagu controversy is disposed of lest it bo misinterpreted as a sequel thereto.