LORD CURZON'S RESIGNATION,

Otago Witness, Issue 2685, 30 August 1905, Page 27

LORD CURZON'S RESIGNATION,

i - THE DISPUTE WITH LORD KITCHENER. LONDON, August 21. There is unanimous sympathy in India with Lord Curzon, who has been eight weeks in bed. The published correspondence excites much attention. ■ It chows that the Government's attitude respecting the Indian army system was supported by Fieldmarshals Roberts and White, Lords Elgin , and Cromer, and General Brackenbury. I One of the most pointed phrases in Mr j Balfour's despatch is the reminder to Lord Elgin that the choice of members of the Indian Council rested with the Secretary of State, and that General Barj row had no real liking for Lord Curzon's system. Widespread recognition is given by the newspapers to Lord Curzon's great abilities and to the value of his work. Several journals point out, however, that his policy Avas really a struggle towards a vice-regal j autocracy. August 23. ' The Bengal Chamber of Commerce has adopted a resolution lamenting Lord Curzon's resignation, gratefully thanking him for the signal services rendered by him to the country ; and applauding his ability and courage in defending constitutional principles. v i Lord Curzon lias been the recipient of [ numberless sympathetic telegrams. I Press continents are heated in India, and the Home Government has been fiercely apsailed, some British Indian newspapers describing militarism as triumphant, while , others expect a full debate on the subject 1 in Parliament. A number of the native newspapers are jubilant over Lord Curzon's retirement, hoping that thereby the partition of Bengal will be frustrated. August 24. Mr Brodrick, speaking at Godalming, said that his regret at Lord Curzon's resignation was greater than that of any of his colleague's because it was imperative to carry out a great reform. He did his duty to the best of his ability, and he had the unanimous support of the Cabinet and the Indian Cotmcil, including a dozen officials of mature Anglo-Indian, experience who had been appointed for a decade, also of a strong committee, including Lord Roberts, Field-marshal Sir George White, and other experts. August 25. King Edward, in an unusually warm telegram, thanked Lord Curzon for his invaluable seivices to the Empire, especially in India. August 26. The publication at Simla of Lord Kitchener's memoranda, dated the 17th inst., impugning the accuracy of the Viceroy's

' summary of his proposals, coupled witf_ Lord Curzon's reply, which maintains the correctness of the summary and deductions, show that the crisis was more acute than it was at the height of the controversy in June. BOMBAY. August 22. The appointment of Lord Minto lias beeir received quietly in India. It is regarded as almost non-political.