We cannot help feeling that it would have been prefer-
able had the trial been confined to the question of Sir Michael O'Dwyer's responsibility. As a matter of fact, however, although it was conclusively shown that in the state of martial law prevailing in 1919 Sir Michael O'Dwyer was not responsible for General Dyer's actions, the whole Amritsar incident was once again dragged out and became indeed the chief issue in the trial. Mr. Justice McCardie stated that much new evidence which was never heard by the Hunter Commission, on whose report General Dyer was relieved of his command, has now come to light. This new evidence induced Mr. Justice McCardie to say, "Speaking with full deliberation and knowing the whole of the evidence given in this case, I express my view that General Dyer in the grave and exceptional circumstances acted rightly, and in my opinion he was wrongly punished by the Secretary of State for India." These are strong words, but Mr. Justice McCardie evidently considered it his duty to utter them, and the blame must be upon the Secretary of State who threw over a subordinate.
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