Mr. Montagu's more important speech was made in the House
of Commons on Tuesday, when he gave a number of reasons for the widespread violence and unrest in India. He repeated that the failure to settle the Turkish question was a prime factor. He also mentioned the economic condition of the world, the high taxation and the high prices, all of which affected Indians particularly owing to their poverty. Unfortunately, Mr. Montagu omitted to mention the real underlying causes of unrest which are his own wilful disturbance of " pathetic contentment " and his unwillingness to support the responsible Englishmen on the spot. The fact that Mr. Montagu recog- nised that India could not be governed from London does not dispose of the fact that for some time past no responsible admin- istrator in India has felt sure that he would be backed up if he really carried out his duty—which is fully to act upon his responsibility. As for the Indian Civil Service its heart has been broken and the best types of Englishmen no longer want to enter it.
Previous page
