Item 6 - Telegram from Edwin Montagu to Lord Chelmsford

Is unwilling to decide what action should be taken on the Hunter Report before it has been discussed in Cabinet and a Cabinet Committee has been appointed. At present he lacks the material to lay before a Committee, as he only has the copy of the report brought by Williams.; moreover, everyone is going away for Easter and he could not get a Committee formed before Parliament reassembles in two weeks. Reuter has telegraphed a summary of the Congress Report, and he fears that comments on it in the London press will cause trouble in India. On the other hand he strongly believes they should not publish the Hunter Report in India before it is published in England, nor before they have agreed and decided on all matters aris-ing from it. The Congress have apparently pointed out that Montagu ordered the postponement of the executions of those who were appealing to the Privy Council, and have made this the subject of a charge against Chelmsford. He is anxious to know how the Congress Committee learnt of this difference of opinion. Assures him of his sympathy.

(Typed, with handwritten alterations. Used for transmission.)