Item 21 - Telegram from Lord Reading to Edwin Montagu

Reports from the provinces indicate that Gandhi’s pronouncements since the arrest of the Ali brothers have had little effect. This failure will probably lead to more desperate courses at the meeting at Delhi on the restoration of the Congress Working Committee, and the Committee may press Gandhi to go among the soldiers and engage in strive to achieve his effect by personal argument, or counsel civil disobedience. If the first course is taken, that would be the best time to arrest him. There are signs that his popularity is declining.

(Typed.)