Item 5 - Telegram from Lord Reading to Edwin Montagu

Part 2. As a result of the negotiations, Das stated that he was willing to waive the hartal if the proclamations were withdrawn and prisoners released, but Gandhi added the further condition that all fatwa prisoners, including the Ali brothers, should also be released, and as Reading had already refused to discuss this question, this condition prevented further discussion. Reading admits that if Gandhi had responded to Malaviya’s subsequent requests to cease defiance he would have felt compelled in return to agree to discuss the composition and objects of the conference; but the opportunity has now passed. Gandhi’s telegrams, he believes, merely showed a desire to gain party advantage out of a situation which is embarrassing to the Government. He did also send a verbal message stating that he would attend a conference if invited, but as he refuses to make this statement public Reading regards it is useless, though he acknowledges Gandhi’s party difficulties.

(Typed.)