Item 9 - Copy of a letter by Edwin Montagu to David Lloyd George, also sent, mutatis mutandis, to Lord Curzon and Austen Chamberlain

MONT II/A/3/10/9

Copy of a letter by Edwin Montagu to David Lloyd George, also sent, mutatis mutandis, to Lord Curzon and Austen Chamberlain

Item

India Office, Whitehall, S.W.1.—Sends copies of A3/10/5–8 and gives the text of a telegram he proposes to send to the Viceroy assuring him of the Government’s confidence. Urges Lloyd George to use his influence to prevent a debate on India in the House, the main object of which is the continuance of the vendetta of a small but determined group against himself. A debate at this time would cause alarm as to the condition of India, evoke sympathy with seditionists from the extremist benches, advertise and traduce the supposed shortcomings of the Government of India, and advertise seditious utterances and untoward incidents. No new policy is contemplated, and they have no definite statements to make regarding actions against individuals, their main concern being for the success of the Prince of Wales’s visit. Suggests that the Leader of the House should appeal to the small ultra-conservative forces, and that they should be privately assured of the Government’s reasons and motives.—Postscript to Curzon’s letter: Has heard that the debate in the Lords is to take place this afternoon, and is sure that an early intervention by Curzon would go far to discourage further debate.

(Carbon copy.)