Item 3 - Telegram from Lord Reading to Edwin Montagu

The situation in Calcutta is disturbing. Large numbers of people have been imprisoned for breaching the order forbidding volunteer associations; weapons have been discovered near the Khilafat Committee’s offices; and there is disaffection amongst sections of the police. Lajpat Rai and Motilal Nehru have been arrested for organizing volunteer forces. It is clear that the non-co-operationists are testing their power by compelling the authorities to arrest large numbers of people and thus paralysing Government. It is a formidable situation, particularly in view of the Prince’s arrival on the 24th. The increasing tension between non-co-operationists and co-operationists is worrying in a city with a strong European element, still smarting under the 17 November incident. The Governor and Council have decided to arrest C. R. Das and other leaders, and Reading has requested further troops. Das has met with Ronaldshay and requested an immediate conference, stating that non-co-operationists will be satisfied only with complete swaraj immediately; but under the circumstances Reading considers that it would do harm even to discuss a conference.

(Typed.)