INDIAN CONTROVERSY

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11159, 15 March 1922, Page 5

INDIAN CONTROVERSY

THE FAMOUS TELEGRAM HURRIED PUBLICATION BY MR MONTAGU. COMING COMMONS DEBATE. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Australian -and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received March 14, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, March 13. Mr Austen Chamberlain, replying questions in the House of Commons, pointed out that Mr Montagu circulated’ Lord Reading’s message among members of the Cabinet on March 4th. Mr Montagu telegraphed the same day authorising publication. The Indian Cabinet met on March 6th before meeting Lord Cuxbon, and ho agreed that publication was • undesirable. Both were then unaware that publication couldi be prevented. Lord Curzon will -reply to Mr Montagu on Tuesday. The House of Commons will debate the subject on Wednesday.

A BOMBSHELL COMMENTS ON MR MONTAGU’S WORK. -“KID GLOVE” CONCILIATION, DELHI, March 13. The resignation of Mr E. S. Montagu as Secretary of State for India came as a bombshell in India. Hie impression is prevalent that the Viceroy’s resignation is also involved, but the two cases are regarded "as not anhlagous. Among the Indian members of the Council of State and the Legislative Assembly much disappointment is felt at the resignation. The newspapers disclose a remarkable diversity of opinion. Some declare that Mr Montagu is one of the greatest men in the history of India, and that he cannot he replaced. Others regard him as a political, charlatan and responsible for the present seditious condition of the country. The most responsible organs consider that great oredit is due to him for the boldness of his* reforms, hut condemn the alleged political expediency which made -him undermine the power of the Indian Government, and resulted in a policy of “kid-glove conciliation” instead of firm action against seditionmongers.

GANDHI'B ARREST NO. DEMONSTRATION RESULTS, -Reuter’s Telegram. DELHI, March 13. The arrest of Gandhi has been received quietly throughout India. Allahabad declared a hartal on Saturday evening, hut next morning all the sh6ps reopened. At Bombay and Lahore there was perfect quiet. At Madras there was a mild demonstration. , A large bonfire of foreign cloths -was made as a protest against the arrest. The newspaper “Leader” described the arrest as “a masterpiece of official ineptitude.” The newspaper “Potrika” declared: “The arrest is an earnest of a Step forward in the policy of repression:’’ Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, March 13. A correspondent says that the mere fact that the extremist leader, Gandhi, was arrested while the Prince of Wales is in India may he regarded as a sure indication that the situation is still more serious.