Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1922-03-18
SECRETARY FOR INDIA
RES|CN|NC, HITS At
THE BRITISH PREMIER
Lloyd George Blames Montagu for Act
ing Without Pressing Necessity.
HARMS WHOLE EMPIRE
Also Affects Sevres Treaty to Which
Britain is But One Signatory.
Lord Readings Position is Shaken

His Resignation May BE the Result.
London, March 9.-The Indian crisis
prccipitated by the Indian Govern
ment's note appealing for Turkeys
rights, which has developed a sensa-
ton, threatens to involve the Prime
Minister and the coalition in still grav
er difficulties. The resignation OF ed.
win S. Montagu, Secretary Of India, an
nounced today, which in many quart
ers is called dismissal. has excited
such intense manifestations of Joy In
the "dic hard" camp that there is an in
clination to see some connection be-
tween the two crises.
Moreover, it provOkes speculation
concerning the position Of the ViceroY
Lord Reading whose action in publish
ing the Indian Governments note is
Interpreted rs an intention to force tao
baud of the Imperial Government.
Premier Lloyd George in accepting
Mr.. Montagu's resignation, charges
him without being urged by any pres
sing necessity and without consulting
his colleagues, with publishing state
ment 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 claim
ed liberty to publish individual declala
lions vitality affecting the relations Of
the whole empire with foreign Powers,
the unity Of British foreign policy
would be broken and the very exist
ence Of the empire jeopardized.
OTHER MINISTER'S NOT
CONSULTED
The resignation Of Mr.. Montagu was
announced in the House Of Commons
by Mr.. Chamberlain who said he I'M
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
thn Treaty of Sevrcs between Turkey
and the Allies and the allied cvAcuat--
ion Of Cmstantinoplc and the restorat
ion of Thracc Adrianople and Smyrna,
was made public by the Indian Govern
ment with only Mr.. Montagu's sanction
no other minister having been consult
ed regarding ii.
Regarding the publication Of Lord
1"'''l'ut - t'lSlliilIh. MT. CNuItDCIl1lu
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 I have described
to the House.
The publication OF such n pronounce
ment Of policy, without their consent
he added. "raised a different question,
which was all the moro important be
cause Of the conference Just about to
meet in, Paris where it seems there Is
fair prospect that in concert with our
allies we shall be able to lay the basis
for ncaco between the Turks and the
Greeks"
TREATY RESTS WITH POWERS
Mr.. Chamberlain said that when For
eign Secretary Marquis Curzon goes
to Paris to discuss the Near Eastern
settlement with the French and Italian
Foreign Ministers 1t would be his oh.
Ject to reach solution equitable to
all parties.
Due weight will be given by him."
Mr.. Chamberlain said, ito tho opinions
or the Indians and Mohamm edans us
expressed by the Government of India,
but | cannot hold myself down to ac-
cept any solution put forward by that
government irrespective OF it's relation
TO the problem ana whole. Responsible
lty 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
llsh press, WHICH has condemned not
the contents Of the dispatch but the pub
LEGATION Of what it is claimed gives the
Indian extremists a new lever TO be
used in their anthGovernment cam.
paien and a. y. time when the situa.
ton in India was causing much con.
Germ
1t Is generally understood that Lord
reading desiring to publish the offend
ing document. sought permission OF
me secretary for India, who technical
~ IS his superior, to make the state.
nent public in India. Mr.. Montagl
consulting the Cabinet, and
%hlle the Prime Minister was confined ,
o his room i'll, gave permission and
LORD atfading had the statement pub
lshed IN India. from which country
t was telegraphed through the ordi.
larry channels to the British press. Mr.,
hontagu's Cabinet colleagues take the
'round that he should have withheld ,
A story IS current that the Prime +
dinlster while lying in bed looking
yer the morning papers was amazed :
0 read the India document. He i'm. 7
aediately summoned Secretary Monta
u and other Ministers to Downing {
street, Lord High Chancellor Birken, .
ead, Austen Chamberlain and Mr. {
'hurchhill considered, the matter with
ne PREMIER and it was unanimously
ecided that Mr. Montagu could not r
roperly retain Office Thereupon the
remler sent to Mr. Montagu a formal :
equest for his resignation.
1T IS understood that the remaining
TENDERS Of the Cabinet later Endorsed
ne action taken. they holding the view e
lat Mr.. Montagu was not entitled to r
erm1t publication with nvorv on,,o.. ,,