Item 8 - Telegram from Edwin Montagu to Lord Reading

Refers to A3/12/6. He is not suggesting that they should attempt to define political prisoners or allow it to be known that rigorous imprisonment would not be applied in any case, but is concerned that the world should think that they allow political prisoners to undergo rigorous imprisonment. At some time peace must be restored between the Government of India, and it is not right that eminent men like Das, who have acted without criminal intent, should suffer what is regarded as the analogy of hard labour. If Gandhi is arrested and sentenced to rigor-ous imprisonment the world would regard the treatment as unfitting and foolish. It is neces-sary to prevent the [political] activities of such prisoners by secluding them from the outside world, but they should be treated with dignity. Harsh treatment only embitters them and their friends against the Government. To his mind the secret mitigation of the Ali brothers’ treat-ment gives them a martyrdom to which they are not entitled. Congratulates him on his speech at Calcutta.

(Typed. Used for transmission.)