REBELS IN INDIA.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 March 1922, Page 5

REBELS IN INDIA.

ARREST OF GHANDI. COUNTRY STILL QUIET. MILD PROTESTS. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Delhi, March 15. The arrest of Ghandi has been received quietly throughout India. Allahabad declared a hartal during the evening of the 11th, but next morning all the shops were reopened. At Bombay and Lahore there was perfect quiet. At Madras a mild demonstration and a large bonfire of foreign clothes was made as a protest against the arrest. The newspaper Leader describes the arrest as a masterpiece of official ineptitude. The newspaper Potrika declares that the arrest is an earnest of a step forward in a policy of repression. MR. MONTAGU’S RESIGNATION. TREND OF OPINION. Delhi, March 13. Mr. Montagu’s resignation came as a bombshel] in India. The impression is prevalent that the Viceroy’s resignation is also involved, but the cases are regarded as analogous. Among Indian members of the Council of State and Legislative Assembly there is much disappointment over the resignation. The newspapers disclose remarkable diversity of opinion. Some declare that Mr. Montagu was one of the greatest men in the history of India and that he cannot be replaced; others regard him as a political charletan responsible for the present seditious condition of the country. The most responsible organs consider that great credit is due to him for the boldness of his reforms, but condemn the alleged political expediency which made him undermine the power of the Indian Government, resulting in a policy of kidglove conciliation instead of firm action against seditious mongering. Reuter’s correspondent says that the mere fact of the arrest of the extremist leader Ghandi, while the Prince is in India, may be regarded as a sure indication that the situation is still most serious.

LORD READING’S MESSAGE. CABINET DECISION IGNORED. Received March 14, 5.5 p.m. London, March 13. Mr. Austen '‘’’’imberlain, replying to questions in '57,4 .’’ouse of Commons, pointed out 1 Ma E. S. Montagu circulated Ixhu message among members of Cro.net ,n March 4 and Mr. Montagu telegraphed the same day authorising its publication in India. Cabinet met on March 6 and before the meeting Lord Curzon and he agreed that its publication could be prevented. Lord Curzon will reply to Mr. Montagu on Tuesday and the House of Commons will debate the subject on Wed-nesday.—Aus.-N.Z, Cable Assn.