Mr. Montagu. who opened the Indian Budget debate in the
House of Commons on Tuesday, was able to speak more hopefully than his predecessors for the last two or three years. The winter crops of cotton, rice, and wheat have been exceptionally good, and " the agricultural prosperity of India is thus completely re-established." With regard to political difficulties, too, Mr. Montagu believed that during the last six months there had been a considerable revulsion in our favour. He then proceeded to a justification of the new Press Act, which, he held, would prevent " that horrible form of sedition-mongering which consists in disseminating cruel misrepresentations among young boys at school." As an instance, he quoted a leaflet which called upon its readers to " sacrifice white blood undiluted and pure at the call of your god on the altar of freedom Whites, be they men, women, or children—murder them indiscriminately, and you will not commit any sin." Mr. Montagu went on to protest against the unfair attacks that had been made upon the police administration, which bad greatly improved in late years. Such allegations, whether the work of an agitator or of an ex-Member of Parliament, were equally false and seditious. "Do not fear that you are lacking in sympathy with the `true reformer because you refuse sympathy to the Anarchist."
