Item 2 - Telegram from Edwin Montagu to Lord Reading

The Cabinet is surprised that the communication of the Government’s view that the Gandhi’s arrest was desirable did not result in his arrest. The Cabinet’d decision was influenced by the considerations that, if the Government of India failed to accept Gandhi’s challenge, its reputation would be affected, it might lose confidence among those who rely on it for protection, and it would find it difficult to deal with other offenders.

(Carbon copy with handwritten alterations; one sheet typed. Used for transmission.)