Item 24 - Draft of a telegram from Edwin Montagu to Lord Chelmsford

Refers to A2/23/18. Agrees that further action to relieve those left destitute as a result of Jallianwalla [Bagh], etc., cannot now be taken before the Hunter Committee reports, but the justifiability of the military action is probably irrelevant. All military action tends to include the innocent or only slightly guilty, and it would be best to make needs not merits the general test. Refers to A2/23/12, and hopes that it will be found possible to advance money to the munici-palities, so that while claims are settled promptly, recovery may be sufficiently prolonged not to be felt oppressive.

(In the hand of Sir William Duke. Not sent.)