Item 25 - Telegram from Lord Reading to Edwin Montagu

Refers to A3/27/5. Northcliffe had informed him in advance of his intention to inform the British people of the strength of anti-British feeling amongst Moslems in India as a result of the Turkish treaty. It is difficult to express an opinion as to the situation in India. The non-co-operation movement has reached a critical stage, as civil disobedience by non-payment of taxes and revenue will be started by Gandhi after 31 January at Bardoli, and this must lead to his arrest. There will probably then be disturbances at ceremonials. He does not credit Gandhi’s view that Bardoli is the only part of the country yet ripe for civil disobedience, as he seems to be driven by conditions in his party and his failure to obtain swaraj by the end of last year. Moderate opinion has steadied, but there is still a desire for a conference. Confidence has been restored among officials, though he regrets the over-filled jails and the strong feeling against the use of the Criminal Law Amendment Act. The civil disobedience movement must be met with sternness and severity. He thinks opinion will turn against the movement, and that Gan-dhi has been driven to his last resort.

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