Item 7 - Telegram from Lord Chelmsford to Edwin Montagu

The Home Department telegraphed on the 3rd acknowledging the difficulties of early and separate publication, and advising that the publication of the Congress report seems to have fallen flat. Copies of the [Hunter] Report have been sent to Montagu by mail, and the terms of the draft resolution are being sent by cable and mail. With regard to the postponement of executions, the Congress appear to have acted purely on inference. Nehru wired asking for suspension of the sentence on 6 June, and he was told of Government’s refusal on the 8th, but petitions for mercy from condemned prisoners were held up for orders till 3 July to give parties time. In the mean time Nehru had appealed to Montagu, and communications were sent [to Nehru?] suggesting that the postponement had been suggested by Montagu.

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