The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-04-27
duke URGES INDIA
. TO FORGET errors
Kings Uncle Makes Dramatic
Speech As Parliament

LONDON. April 27.--Ths opening Of
the Indian Parliament. which marks
the passing of the old autocratic gov
eminent of India, was held at Debit
IN a scene worthy of its Importance.
WI ties Perceval Landon to the Daily
Telegraph
In the new council chamber IL was
hardly possible to realize that tho
building was merely temporary. 80
solid and dignified were the lonK
curves of seats and high paneling
behind the twin thrones. On either
side OF the dais were seated the mem
bers Of the Viceroys council, the
Rawlinson. In a clear space in the
center were seated the president Of
the council of state, Mr.. Muddiman.
and the president of the Legislative
assembly. Mr.. White. both In f,Ill-
bottomed wigs, the former In the
black and gold of the chanceilors
iobes, the latter in a black gown
turned back over the shoulders with
a dark maroon cape.
NOTABLEs on THRONE.
On the thrones themselves the con-
trsstins figures Of the viceroy. In fhs
robes Of pale blue OF the Star OF In
dia, and the Duke Of Connaugnt, in
the dark mantle of the Order Of the
Garter, completed memorable
group.
The viceroy, in q speech Of some
length, traced the course and growth
OF constitutional government In India.
lie explained how inadequate the
Morley-Minto half measures Of 1907
had been proved by experience to be.
The element Of responsibility had
therein been entirely lacking. and
ed q her ad he.
sole function to be that OF criticism.
Today sutocratic government had
been finally abandoned and the policy
or benevolent despotism renowned;
only power of supervision and inter
vention in case Of emergency had
been retained.
DUKE DELIVERS MESSAGE.
The Duke of Connaught, to whose
past experience as a member Of the
legislative council the viceroy had
referred, then delivered a special
message from the King, which was
received by the assembly standing.
His Majesty sent MS earnest congratu-
lations and good wishes for the sue
cess OF tho labors Of the councils,
| provincial as well as imperial He
then. in vivid words. which were the
keynote of the whole message. placed
| en- record the fact that India had that
day entered into the beginnings OF tho
Swaraj she had so long dreamed OF.
Continuing, the Duke of Connaught
| recalled to the house the unparalleled
nature OF the days proceedings-
nothing less than a spontaneous gift
| of autonomy, not exacted by force
from the government, nor wrung by
| terrorism. 1t was the great privilege
| M ha hnr haf
henceforth act as the guide not
merely of Indian policy, but OF the
| unknown forces of the Asiatic con-
tinent. After we'll weighed and earn
est advice TO the advisers and .
warm tribute to the Viceroy. his
royal highness concluded by de-
claring the new Parliament open.
SPEAKS As LOVER OF COUNTRY.
But this was not the end Of .
speech. One OF the most dramatic
incidents of recent Indian hi story
then took place. After a short pauSs
the Duke of Connaught spoke agaii.
not as representative of the King
Emperor. but as one who had long
known and loved India, as one not
likely ever to visit her again. Pas-
sonally and from his heart he asks.s.
as an old friend, that there should 90
| an end to the shadow OF Amritsar.
which had heightened over the fair
face of India. Let there Re mutual
forgiveness where there was ausht
to forgive; let the dead past bury its
dead mistakes and Misunderstanding.
and let both sides join together for
their future great work in India.
The effect of the speech was very
great, and the Viceroy rose again
to identify himself with every word
of this appeal before he formally
closed the meeting-a meeting, pr
hsps. more fraught with midas dei-
tiny than any since the transferenca
of government from the East InAtD
Company to the crown OF England.