New-York tribune., 1918-07-19
Home Rule For
India as Planned
By Great Britain
Liberalized Aims Of Allies
Responsible for Latest
Scheme
Ien-Year Test Urged
Proposal Extends Ballot and
Accords Provinces Wide
Power

LONDON, July 11.-Eventually to
set up in India responsible self-gov-
efhment is the avowed purpose of the
plan of limited home rule for that
country which has been prepared for
submission to 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 have period of training. They
avow that the proposed scheme of gov
ernment is a temporary expedient in
tended to provide method of training
in government, and say the ultimate
attainment of the desired goal depends
upon the Indian people themselves.
1T would not be fair to give it to
them until they fulfil the necessary
conditions" say the Secretary for India
and the Viceroy.
The report has been made public by
the government for purposes of dis
cussion and criticism. 1t has not been
definitely adopted in all its details by
the War Cabinet.
Result of New War Aims
Leading up to description of their
new plan, the official announcement
says that declarations of both our own
and American statesmen concerning
the liberalizng Of the aims Of the Al
lies have given new force and vitality
to the growing demand among the pro-
gressive section of the Undian) people
for self government"
The Viceroy and the Secretary for
India propose that the new government {
in India shall be composed of the fol-
lowing:
Provincial legislatures to be COM
posed of directly elected representa-
tives
A vice-regal legislature for all
bers-the Legislative Assembly of
India and the Council of State
The Indian Privy Council, members
Of which are to be appointed by the
King Emperor.
A council of princes.
According to the official announce
ment of the provisions of the scheme,
an increasing degree of responsibility
is to be given to the provinces They
are to have the largest measure of in
dependence compatible with the au-
thority of the viceregal legislature.
Provinces to Have Voice
Certain subjects are to be reserved
for action by the executive council of
these provinces, excluding Burmah
These executive councils will consist
of the governor and two members, one
of them to be All Indian
"Devolution," says the official an
nouncement, "is TO take the form of
giving responsibility in certain sub
jects, to be known as transferred sub
jects, to the provincial legislative coun-
ell, which will have a substantial num-
ber of elected members, to be chosen
on as broad a franchise as possible"
The subjects over which this provincial
electoral body will exercise control are
defined as those offering most oppor-
tunity for local knowledge and social
service wherein Indians have shown
themselves to be keenly interested.
those wherein mistakes would not be
irremediable and those which stand
in need of Development
Contributions to the government of
India" adds the announcement, "are to
be the first charge Of provincial reven-
ues. The remaining provincial reven-
ueS are 10 De ADMINISTERED Dy the pro-
vlncial governments"
The vice regal legislature of all India
will be composed of two cham bers-the
Legislative Assembly of India and the
Council of State. The assembly is to
have membership of 100. More than
alf-thirty- y-six--of the members of
the present Legislative Council are
nominated by the Governor General,
but under the new plan this official
majority would disappear, and two
thirds of the 100 members of the as
sembly would be elective The remain
ing one-third would be nominated by
the Governor General.
Provides Ten-Year Trial
The second chamber, of Council of
State, is intended to develop some
thing of the experience and dignity Of
body OF elder statesmen 1t is to be
the final legislative authority in mat
ters which the government regards as
essential Besides the Governor Gen
eral, it will consist Of fifty members,
Of whom twenty-nine are to be nomi-
mated and twentyone elected.
To obtain legislation necessary for
the conduct of the government the
Governor will have power to certify
that enactment of certain measure
is essential to the peace or tranquility
of q province.
The proposed Council of Princes is
to consider questions affecting the ma
tive states and those of concern either
to the empire as a whole or to Brit
ish India and the native states in
common.
Ten years after the proposed new
government is organized commission
is to be appointed to resurvey the
whole political situation and judge
what further power can be transferred
to the native governments Similar
commissions are to follow at intervals
of not less than twelve years. A Sc
lect committee on India is to be formed
in each session of the British House