Pièce 20 - Copy of a telegram from Edwin Montagu to Lord Reading

Refers to A3/10/17. Reports in English and Indian newspapers have given the impression to important people at home that sedition is prevalent in India. For his own part, he relies on Reading’s telegrams and has assured the Cabinet that the situation in India is improving. Explains that that what he meant [in A3/10/8] was that in some cases the doctrine of non-interference had apparently been misunderstood. For instance, R. B. Whitehead, in his application to resign from the Punjab Service in dissatisfaction with the reforms, reports that the Commissioner told him that the policy of non-interference prevented them from taking action against a certain Shanti Sarup, who was openly preaching race-hatred and sedition. [Sir] Claud Jacob has told him privately that tampering with the Indian Army is being dealt with more vigorously than before. Gives further assurances of his support. Discusses the effects of propaganda on the classes from which the army and civil service recruit.

(Carbon copy.)