Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-07-18
British Officials
Propose Limited
Home Rule in India
rBritisn Wire Service.l


up in India d responsible self govern
ment is the avowed purpose of the
plan of limited home rule for that
country which has been prepared for
submission 10 the British parliament
by Edwin S. Montagu, secretary for
India, and Baron Chelmsford, viceroy
and governor general of India.
Before this goal of self government
can be attained however the authors
of the new plan say the Indian people
should nave a period OF training. They
avow that the proposed scheme Of
government Is temporary expedient
intended to provide a method of train
IN" Il 50TeT EIIIeIIt and say the uiti-
mate attainment of the desired goa.
depends upon de Indian people them-
selves. 1T would not be fair to give
it 10 them until they fulfill the neces-
sary conditions" say the secretary for
India and the viceroy.
The report has been made public
by the government for purposes of
disclssion and criticism. 1t has NOT
been definitely adopted in all its de-
tails by the war cabinet.
Leading UP 70 a description of their
new plan, the official announcement
says that declarations Of both our
own and American statesmen concern
ing the liberalizing of the aims of the
allies have given new force and vital
ity to the growing demand among the
progressive section Of the Qndian)
people for self government.
The viceroy and secretary Of India
propose that the new government in
India shall be composed of the fol-
lowing:
Provivial legislatures TO be com
posed OF directly elected representa-
tiyes.
A viceregal legislature for all India
to be composed of two chambers-the
legislative assembly of India and the
council of state.
The Indian prtvy council. members
king emperor.
\ council Of princes.
A ccording TO the official announce
menJ Of the provisions of the scheme
an increasing degree Of responsible
ity is to be given to the provinces.
They are to have the largest measure
of Independents compatible with the
authority of the viceregal legislature.
Certain subjects are to be reserved
for action by the executive council Of
these provinces, excluding Burma
These executive council will consist Of
the governor and two members, one
Of them to be an Indian.
"Devolutsoa,' says the official an
nouncement, SIS to take the form Of
giving responsibility in certain sub
jects, to be known as transferred sub
iects, to the provincial legislative
council which will have a substantial
number of elected members to be
chosen on as broad a franchise as
possible" The subjects over which
this prvincial electoral body will eXer
else control are defined as those Of
ferng most opportunity for local
knowledge and social service wherein
Indians have shown themselves to be
keenly interested; those wherein mis-
takes would not be irrenediable and
those which stand in need Of develop
ment.
Contributions to the government Of
India" adds the announcement are
to be the first charge of provincial
revenues The remaining provincial
revenues are to be administered by the
provincial governments"
The viceregal legislature of all In
dia will De composed Of two chambers
the legislative assembly Of India
and the council of state. The assembly
is TO nave membership to 100, More
than half thirty-six of the members OF
present legislative council are noni-
mated by the governor general but I'M
der the new plan this official major
ity would disappear and two-thirds OF
the 100 members Of the assembly
would be elective. The remaining one
third would be nominated by the gov
ernor- general.
The second chamber, or council Of
state, Is intended, to develop some
thing OF the experience and dignity Of
a BODY of elder statesmen. II is to be
the final legislative authority in mat
tiers which the government regards as
essential Besides the governor gen.
eral it will consist Of fifty members,
of whsm twenty mine arc to he nom
mated and twenty one elected.
To obtain legislation necessary for
the conduct of the government the
governor will have power to certify
that enactment of a certain measure
is essential to the peace or tranquil
fly of province.
The proposed council OF princes is
., consider questions affecting the ma
tive states AMI those of concern either
to the empire as a whole or to Brit
ish India and the native states in
common.
Ten years. "fter the proposed new
government Ia organized commits
sion lie to ne appointed TO resurvsy the
whole political situation and judgment
further power can be transferred to
the native governments. Similar COM
missions are 10 follow ar intervals OF
not less than twelve years. select
81: j.: ~. L, =. he formed Il
each session Of the British house or
commons.
Turnout the report it is pointed out