Item 3 - Telegram from Lord Chelmsford to Edwin Montagu

On the first reports of floggings Chelmsford sent a telegram to O'Dwyer pointing out their grave effect on public opinion throughout India, and urging that this form of punishment should be avoided as far as possible and the least publicity given. He also asked him to consider the question of ending press messages from Lahore, as references to people being 'cowed and sullen' do more harm than good. This telegram elicited the information quoted in A2/5/1. Similar strict injunctions were issued as the same time to all martial law areas.

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