11 MARCH 1922, Page 2

The papers of Thursday published a message from the Govern-

ment of India to Mr. Montagu which has astounded the nation. The message was officially published in India at the time when it was telegraphed to England. The Government of India puts on record the intense state of unrest in India and then urges upon the British Government the need for (1) the evacuation of Constantinople ; (2) the recognition of the suzerainty of the Sultan of Turkey over the Holy places ; and (3) the restoration to Turkey of Smyrna, and Thrace including Adrianople. When we go to press we do not know whether Mr. Montagu has been taken by surprise or whether he encouraged the publication of this message. Whatever the explanation may be, we do not exaggerate when we say that we are appalled at what has happened. We cannot call to mind any action parallel to this in the history of the Empire.