THE MADURA CASE
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.]
Sza,—I do not know who is your contributor who wrote the article on this case, but as Dr. Edward Thompson has thrown doubt on the accuracy of his statements, I think I must come to his defence.
When I was in Poona in September last Mr. Hodge,Secretary of the National Christian Council, finding that I was a friend of Mr. Reginald Reynolds, told me that he had been investi- gating the case as thoroughly as possible, and he kindly allowed me to read through the complete file. The more I read the more astonished I became that such a thing could have happened. No complaint was made against Mr. Keithahn whatever, except that he had entertained Mr. Reynolds and had been present at the station to see him off (a courtesy not unusual towards one's guests) when there was also a Congress demonstration in Mr. Reynolds' honour.
I hardly know whether to be more astonished that the local official should have requested Mr. Keithahn's fellow-mis- sionaries to persuade him to leave the country for this " offence " or that the missionaries should have so meekly acquiesced in the request.
It is, perhaps, worth while to add that an official in another place, thinking apparently that the unexpectedly easy triumph over these missionaries might be profitably followed up, addressed an enquiry to another of Mr. Reynolds' hosts. The reply he received, indicating that the missionary in question would sooner perish than allow any authority to dictate to him in matters of hospitality, seems to have effectively silenced him.—I am, Sir, &c.,
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