RESIGNATION OF LORD CURZON

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1746, 23 August 1905, Page 31

RESIGNATION OF LORD CURZON

LORD MINTO APPOINTED; LONDON,. August 21. Lord 1 Gurzon has resigned his post as Viceroy of India. He will be succeeded by Lord. Minto. A Blue Book dealing with the Indian army reveals that Lord Curzon first tendered his resignation in June. Differences with the Home Government were renewed when Lord Curzon recommended General Barrow as first military member of the Council of India. The nomination was over-ruled, practically on the ground that the post should be filled by an officer less distinguished in the combatant branch of the service, and, therefore, less likely to be at variance with Lord Kitchener, Con' mander-in-Chief. Mr Birodrick, Secretary of State for India, explained that some authorities preferred an officer of some technical experience, which would enable him to supervise the manufacturing departments, and suggested that Lord Curzon should consult Lord Kitchener in the selection. Lord Curzon declined to do this, declaring that the Government denied him its confidence, without which he was unable to act with advantage as (lead of the Indian Government. He, therefore, again tendered his resignation, and strongly complained of a system tending to concentrate all military power in the hands of the army, and reduce the Military Supply Department to impotence. He construed that the Cabinet’s decision was proof that the policy of the Home Government regarding army administration differed fundamentally from what he thought had been agreed upon with the Government of India. The bulk of the papers re-echo Mr Balfour’s sincere regret at the resignation, and pay high tribute to Lord Curzon. Lord Curzon. was appointed Viceroy of India in 1899. He had a distinguished

political career in England, and occupied several important posts in the Administration. under Lord Salisbury. When taking up the Viceroyalty, he said that India's rulers must be animated by “the conviction that the justice of her Government is inflexible, that its honour is stainless, and that its mercy is in proportion to its strength.” In other vrords, it was the aim of the British Government “to retain by justice what was won by the sword” ; and so far as he was able; Lord Curzon has made himself the exponent of the best that was to be found in his predecessors, whether a Ripon, a Lawrence, or a. DaLhousie; If he did not give his own countrymen a new conception of their opportunities in India, he has strengthened their views of their duty without firing partisanship, and he appealed' to the emotions of the people without starting dangerous propaganda. His resignation was anticipated some weeks ago; in consequence of the friction that between himself and Lord Kitchener concerning tbe army. It was, however,, then explained that he would at least remain in India until after the pending visit of the Prince of Wales. Lord Minto, his successor, was GovernorGeneral of Canada from 1898 until last year.