Item 11 - (i) Memorandum from Edwin Montagu to Sir William Duke, 20 Jan. 1920, annexing (ii) a telegram from Montagu to Lord Chelmsford, transmitted 21 Jan. 1920

(i) The annexed telegram about Amritsar must be sent to avoid delay.

(ii) General Dyer’s conduct in firing at Amritsar has been criticised because he is reported to have said that the crowd might have dispersed without being fired on, and because the Criminal Procedure Code forbids the use of unnecessary force to disperse a crowd. Dyer’s defenders, including O’Dwyer, allege that his action prevented disorder elsewhere in the Punjab. Asks Chelmsford to advise his own view of accepted practice, in order that Montagu may express an opinion when the report emerges.

(Typed. Used for transmission.)