The New York herald., 1922-03-10
May Involve Coalition.

LONDON, March 8 (Associated Press) -
The Indian crisis, precipitated by the
Indian Governments note appealing Tor
Turkeys rights, which has developed a
sensation, threatens to involve the Prime
Minister and the coalition in still graver
difficulties.
Premier Lloyd George. in accepting
Mr.. Montagu's resignation. charged him
without being urged by any pressing
necessity" and without consulting his
colleagues, with publishing a statement
the, importance of which extends far
beyond the frontiers of India or "the
responsibilities of your Office"
The Premier adds that the right of
the Government OF India to state their
views has never been disputed, but II
the Governments of the Empire claimed
liberty to publish individual declarations
vitally affecting the relations of the
whole Empire with foreign Powers. the
unity of British foreign policy would be
broken and the very existence of the
empire jeopardized.
The resignation of Mr. Montagu was
announced in the House of Commons
by Mr. Chamberlain. who said he un-
derstood the telegram sent to Secre-
tary Montagu from the Government of
India, setting forth the feeling in India
regarding the necessity for revision OF
tho Treaty of Sevres between Turkey
and the Allies. and the allied evacua-
tion-of Constantinople and the restora-
tion OF Thrace. Adrianople and Smyrna,
was made public by the IAdian Govern
ment with only Mr.. Montagu's sanction,
no other Minister having been consulted
regarding it.
Regarding the publication of Lord
Readings dispatch, Mr.. Chamberlain
added THAT publication in India was
authorized by the Secretary of State
and has led to his resignation, on the
grounds of Cabinet responsibility and
imperial policy. which ! have described
tc the House.
"The publication of such pronounce
ment of policy. without consultation of
the Cabinet and without their consent"
he added, raised q different question.
which was all the more important be-
cause of the conference just about to
meet in Paris, where it seems there is a
fair prospect that in concert with our
allies we shall be able TO lay the basis
for peace between the Turks and the
Greeks
Treaty Rests With Powers.
Mr.. Chamberlain said that when
Foreign Secretary Marquis Curzon goes
to Paris to discuss the Near Eastern
settlement with the French and Italian
Foreign Ministers it would be his object
to reach a solution equitable to all
parties.
Due weight will be given by him.
Mr.. chamberlain said, ito the opinions
of the Indians and Mohammedans as
expressed by the Government OF India.
but / cannot hold myself down to accept
any solution put forward by that Gov
ernment irrespective Of its relation to
the problem as a whole. Responsibility
for revision Of the treaty of Sevres and
the conclusion of peace in the Near
East rests with the allied Powers in
combination"
Mr.. Chamberlain made the point that
Lord Readings dispatch should have
been regarded as confidential. This,
too is the main grievance OF the Eng
.ish press, which has condemned not the
contents of the dispatch but the publi-
cation of what. 1t Is claimed. gives the
Indian extremists a new lever to be
used in their anti-Government cam
paign. and at a time when the situation
in India was causing much concern.
1t is generally understood that Lord
Reading. desiring to publish the offend
ing document. sought permission or the
secretary for India, who technically is
his superior. to make the statement
public in India. Mr.. Montagu without
consulting the Cabinet. and while the
Prime Minister was confined to his
room III. gave permission, and Lord
Reading had the statement published in
India, from which country It was tele-
graphed through the ordinary channels
10 the British press. Mr.. Montagu's
Cabinet colleagues take the ground that
ne should have withheld permission.
A story Is current that the Prime Min
fster while lying in bed looking over the
morning papers was amazed to read
the India document. lie Immediately
summoned Secretary Montagu and
other Ministers to Downing Street. Lord
High Chancellor Birkenhead. Austen
chamberlain and Mr.. Churchill consid-
cred the matter with the Premier, and
1t was unanimously decided that Mr.,
Montagu could not properly retain of
flee. Thereupon the Premier sent to
Mr. Montagu d formal request for his
resignation.
II is understood that the remaining
members CT the Cabinet later indorsed
the action talxen/ they holding the view
that Mr.. Montagu was not entitled to
permit publicgtion, with every appear
ance Of Government sanction, Of a doc
ument advocating a deliberate reversal
of a policy undertaken in concert with
Great Britains allies.
Nr. Montagu's Letter.
In His letter OF resignation TO the
FremHer, Mr.. Montagu says
When 1 received last week the Gov
ernFnent OF India's telegram, conveying
thNt Governments views on Turkish
p1eace. with the request for permission to
publish them, / circulated II to the Cabi-
net. It was only after / received an
urgent telegram on Saturday repeating
the request for permission to publish
and asking for an immediate reply that
! felt It my duty to accept the RESPONSE
bility OF sanctioning publication.
II did not conceive IL possible that
there should be any question that the
Indian Government should not be al
lowed to state their views upon ques-
tion 50 vitally affecting the peace OF
India, nor did 7 think It was possible
or right to prevent them from inform
ing the people whom they govern Of
views they felt 1t their duty to put
forward on their behalf. The Govern
ment OF India should be the first to
acknowledge that IL is the duty OF his
Majesty's Government 70 take many
wider aspects into consideration, and
that reacc cannot be achieved IL the
Indian point OF view only is consid-
cred"
Declaring that his object was TO give
the Indian viewpoint the fullest con-
sideration. Mr.. Afontasu says he felt
tLst x vas his duty 90 do his utmost TO
support the Government OF India and the
provincial Governments, and when as
sured OF It's great urgency. and recol-
lecting the many decisions on every
class OF subject which the Government
found II inevitable to take without dis
cussion IN the Cabinet. he felt Justified