On Monday the Indian National Congress met at Lahore. Since
the violent scenes of two years ago, when the extremists left the meeting, the Congress has been in the hands of the moderate Nationalists. There have been various attempts to reunite the Congress, but there does not seem to be any prospect of success so long as the extremists desire national independence and the moderates are wisely content to develop in security under British rule. A short time ago it became known that Sir Plierozeshah Mehta, the most influential man among the moderates, refused to be chairman of the Congress. The chairmanship was then accepted by Mr. Madan Mohun Malaviya. Mr. Malaviya made a much more vigorous attack on the regulations for the application of the Indian Councils Act than any one had expected. On Tuesday the chief resolu- tion was moved by Mr. Surendranath Banerjee, who expressed gratitude for the earnest and arduous efforts of Lord Morley and Lord Mint() in the cause of reform, but went on to denounce the regulations under which the members had been elected to the enlarged Councils. He declared that the dis- qualifieation of prominent men for seats on the Councils was a matter of unutterable shame. He urged his audience, however, to continue working constitutionally. The Times correspondent considers that on the whole the Congress lacked animation, but there was one scene of great enthusiasm when a thousand pounds was subscribed in a few minutes on behalf of the Transvaal Indians.
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