7 JANUARY 1911, Page 9

A. letter appears in Wednesday's Times over the signature of

" Justitia" calling attention to the report of a New Year's reception of Indians held at Mr. Bepin Chandra Pars residence which appears in Monday's Daily Chronicle. Sir Henry Cotton, who was the principal guest, "urged the young men present to cultivate the qualities of independence and manliness. A sycophant was regarded with contempt by every well-conducted Englishman. They must not, on the other hand, express themselves too strongly, or they would fall into inevitable trouble, as the picture of their unfortunate friend Savarkar on the wall reminded them. He hoped the Hague Tribunal would restore him to France." Savarkar, as " Jastitia " reminds us, has just been convicted by Indian Judges of the highest standing on the gravest charges of conspiracy and sentenced to transportation for life. More than that, the Government of Bombay is still considering whether or not to proceed against him on the reserved charge of abetment to murder. In a letter which appears in Thursday's Times Sir Henry Cotton states that he has never seen or communicated with Savarkar, and repudiates " Justitia's " interpretation of his words, though he does not dispute the accuracy of the report or deny that he expressed the hope that Savarkar might escape.