New-York tribune., 1922-03-10
British Ministry Shaken
by Publication Of Plea
TO Scltlc With Turks
and Avert MosIcm Peril
Reading Likely to
Resign as Viccrov
Breach Of ConhdcnccL
10 Secretary; Commons
Cheers News Hc Has Quit

FROM Yhc Tribprc's Iuropcnn Eurcnu
tCopN right 1o22, Now York Tribune Inc
LONDON, March 9.--Edwin S. Mon
'aSn resigned to-day as Secretary for
India IN the Lloyd George Cabinet Ho
was virtually forced out by his own
acceptance Of responsibility FOR veg
terday's publication OF an appeal to
the British people, over the heads of
thc London Cabinet, contained in a
letter from thc Earl Of Reading, Wee
roy Of India, urging a settlement of
Near East problems in order to placatc
the Indian Moslcms.
Montagu was the only member Of the
Lloyd George ministry who had seen
the communication, and without sub
mitting il to his colleagues he au-
thorizcd its publication through news
agencies.
Austen Chamberlain, government
spokesman in the House Of Commons
in announcing tho submission and ac-
ceptance of Montagu's resignation,
said that it had been impossible for
for the communication, which should
have been regarded as confidential, or
TO reconcile its publication with the
duty which the governments of the en-
plre owe to each other.
Reading May Be Forced Out
4 rumor that Lord Reading also
would fall as result of the incident
was semi offic ally denied on the
grounds that full possibility had
been accepted by Montagu, but in some
circles it is regarded as probable that
the Viccroy. too, will be forced out if
the Allied Foreign Minister'S at their
Paris conference. March %, are unable
to agree on the proposals urged by
Lord Reading in his communication
It is generally agreed here that the
Treaty Of Sevres must be revised, but
doubt is expressed that the Allies will
concur in the Indian demands for the
restoration Of Thrace and the holy
places of the Near East to the Sultan
In announcing Montagu's esignatior
Mr.. Cham berlain expressed q desire to
abstain from a discussion of the points
raised by the Viceroy because the de-
mands prcjudiced the British case in
the forthcoming Paris conference. He
said, however, that the Indian program
exceeded even the terms demanded by
the warmcst friends of Turkey. Mr.
asked that debate on the
Indian demands be held in abeyance
until after the Paris meeting, saying:
"Successful conduct of our negotia-
tions will be impossible if the govern
ment is asked to say in advance ex-
actIy what it will do"
Must Find Compromise
The real effect of the Indian demands
is to force the government to find a
between a break with
France on Near Eastern policies and the
stirring UP of more trouble in India
The British governments view is that
Constantinople is being held only to
guarantee fulfllment of the terms Of
the Treaty Of Sevres and that none of
the Allies wants to occupy the city per-
1t is doubted that Greece
will be willing to give up Thrace. AS
for the holy places, two of the most
mportant-Mecca and Medina-are now
a part of the Independent Hedjaz king
dom. The king of that country now
allows free access to the Moslem
shrines, but he would not cede these
cities to the Turks.
Inc BRITISH fcel that the granting of
any Of the demands set forth by the
Viceroy would only result in breaking
up the barriers which have purposely
been erected between Central Europe
and India to prevent the realization of
any future pan-German scheme.
Serious Breach, Says Premier.
LONDON. March 8 (by The Associ-
atcd Press) Premier Lloyd George
in accepting Mr.. Montagu's resignation,
charges him without being urged by
any pressing necessity" and without
his colleagues, with publish
ing statement the Importance of
which extends far beyond the frontiers
Of India or 'the esponsibilities Of
your Office
"Such action continues the Pre-
mier, "is totally incompatible with the
collective responsibility of the Cabinet
to the sovereign and the Parliament,
and | do not doubt that on reflection
you will share my view that we cannot
usefully cooperate in the same Cabi-
nett
The Premier emphasizes "the consti-
tutional impropriety of the precedent
which your action, if not repudiated,
would have set. The moment chosen