THE GORDON RIOTS AND THE AMRITSAR REBELLION. [To THE EDITOR
Or THE " SPECTATOR."] SIR,—Colonel Reid asks where I got my figures from. The "30,000 rebels at Amritsar " refers to the number of the insurgents on the days preceding the meeting in the Jallian- walla Bagh. The number of 4,000 present there was derived from eome newspaper account, but I cannot recollect where I saw it. Of course the authoritative figures of 15,000 to 20,003. quoted by Colonel Reid from General Dyer's printed statement, immensely strengthen my position that General Dyer with only fifty rifles in face of a huge multitude of rebels had no alternative but to fire at once and to keep on firing till the crowd would disperse. Had he not done so he would have committed a real -error of judgment.—I am, Sir, &o., A. J. DE HAVILLAND BITSHIPELL. 12 Suffolk Square, Cheltenham.
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