Last week Sir John Simon, the chairman of the Commission,
sent to his constituents an admirably simple yet cogent summary of the reasons why he felt it his duty to go to India. His views about the work of the Commission ought to have considerable influence in India. Let us quote them :— " The British Parliament has a tremendous responsibility to the peoples of India. It is a responsibility which cannot be denied or evaded, for it is rooted in history and in the facts of the world to-day. If, therefore, the future of India is to be one of peaceful progress (as all men of good will both in India and in Britain intensely desire), this can come about only by the action of the British Parlia- ment combined with the co-operation of India itself. Both these are provided for by the scheme of investigation and consultation, of which the work of the Commission is the first stage. The Com- mission does not go to India with any idea of imposing Western ideas or constitutional forms from without ; we go to listen, to learn, and faithfully to report our conclusions as to actual conditions and varying proposals from within. . . . The task of the Com- mission calls for the highest qualities of sympathy and imagination, as well as for endless patience, strict impartiality, industry, and courage. I enter upon my part in this duty intensely desiring to be of what service I can to India and to Britain."
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