The changes in the Indian administration were announced officially in
both Houses of Parliament on Tuesday. This was done in the House of Lords by Lord Morley, who re- frained from adding any comment. Lord Lansdowne drew attention to the immense importance of the announcement, which could not fail to mark an epoch in the history of the Indian Empire. The changes involved much that might provoke criticism, and meant amongst other things an abrupt reversal of Lord Curzon's policy. But their gravest feature was that they were to be connected with the personal inter- vention of the Sovereign. Lord Lansdowne added that a discussion was undesirable at the present time, for "the word of the King-Emperor has been passed, and that word is irrevocable." After a few words supporting the changes from Lord kfacDonnell, Lord Curzon said that they demanded the closest scrutiny on account of the startling and tremen- dous consequences they involved, since they constituted an abrupt departure from the traditional policy of the Govern- ment of India, and especially owing to the novel and unpre- cedented character they assumed in being placed at a moment of great solemnity in the lips of the Sovereign. He agreed with Lord Lansdowne, however, that further discussion would best be postponed.
