It seems to us that Lord Morley behaved with perfect
good sense, as well as propriety, in the Gokhale incident. We think, however, that he has good ground for complaint, and that Mr. Gokhale did not act becomingly in allowing the communication of his letter to the Friend of India. The work of government would be impossible if the confidential conversations which take place before the drafting of a Bill were made public. WI) have not, of course, heard Mr. Gokhale's account of the matter, but the whole transaction is most unfortunate. Such a misunderstanding does not seem to promise well for the inclusion of a native element in such a body as the Viceroy's Council, where absolute secrecy is often of the very greatest moment. In saying this we must not be thought to make any suggestion of bad faith or lack of a sense of honour on the part of natives of India. We believe, however, most firmly that homogeneity in the matter of race and traditions in regard to the conduct of public affairs is a most important element in Cabinet government. The Viceroy's Executive Council is in the fullest sense a Cabinet.
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