OCCASIONAL NOTE

The various Extremist newspapers seem to know something regarding Mr. Gandhi’s interview with the Viceroy. Apparently nothing was achieved on either side. If this be true, it is at least a matter for satisfaction that there was no repetition of the ridiculous volte face executed by the authorities at the time of the Champaran agitation. The subsequent history of that episode must, indeed, have had its effect even at Delhi. Meanwhile it may be noted that Mrs. Besant – for what her influence may be worth among the Extremists – has signed only a half-hearted Satyagraha pledge and is engaged in something very like a campaign in favour of liberty of conscience where the latest Gandhi movement is concerned. Also it is noteworthy that Mr. Gandhi’s appeal to the Allahabad Moderates left them cold. He himself is credited by the Besantites with the intention of abandoning the whole agitation, provided the Bills are whittled down so that they do not menace the liberty of anyone except conspirators adopting violent methods. The Rowlatt Bill properly so-called never attempted to do more than this, since, to bring any of its sections into operation, the Viceroy was compelled to state the reasons for his action in the terms of formulae provided by the Bill. It is fairly clear that the last will soon be seen of the stupid “Black Bill” headlines.

THE INDIAN ARMY AND THE PRESS

ALLAHABAD, MAR 14

The order setting on foot an inquiry into the authorship of the recent letter in our column from our military correspondent is supposed to emanate from His Excellency the Commander-in- Chief. We know enough of His Excellency, however, to feel quite sure that too much importance need not in this particular instance be attached to the formality associated with all orders from army headquarters. We refuse, in fact, to believe that His Excellency’s responsibility for the initiation of this inquiry is anything more than formal. The whole thing is foreign to His Excellency’s frank and straightforward character, and we cannot imagine him deliberately resorting in his official capacity to methods of compulsion for which there can be no other epithet but “mean”. The peculiar form of investigation now launched against our correspondent is a relic from the days when the military department revelled in darkness and felt itself superior to, because hidden from the influence of public opinion.

CALCUTTA REFEREES ASSOCIATION

The annual meeting of the Calcutta Referees’ Association was held last evening on the Rangers’ ground, Mr. F.H. Richardson presiding. The minutes of the last annual meeting were confirmed and a sub-committee, consisting of Messrs. Pooler, Medlycott and Rosser, was appointed to revise the rules of the association. It was decided that pending the report of the committee, the present soccer committee should carry on the work of the association. A board of examiners, consisting of Messrs. Pooler, Clayton, Medlycott and Rosser, was appointed, and the Secretary was asked to write to the Honorary Secretary of the Indian Football Association suggesting that all clubs taking part in the I.F.A. competitions, be asked to become members of the association. It was announced that the Beighton and Lakshmibilas Cup Competitions, would commence on the 14th and 7th April, respectively, the entries closing on the 10th and the 7th April.

RANGOON MUNICIPALITY’S WAR BONUS

RANGOON, MAR 14

The Local Government has vetoed the action of the Rangoon municipality in respect of the war bonus sanctioned for their employees on account of the high prices of foodstuffs. The proposal was to grant employees drawing not more than Rs 300 a month, inclusive of allowances, an increase of pay for one year from the 1st November, 1918, at the following rates: To all outside menial labourers on the permanent establishment, Re 1 a month, with power to the president to declare to what class of municipal employees this increase shall be granted; to employees drawing not more than Rs 150 a month inclusive of allowances, 10 per cent of their salaries. The Lieutenant-Governor has directed the municipal committee to reduce the above scales of increased remuneration as follows:- To all permanent employees of the Rangoon municipal committee drawing not more than Rs 150 a month, inclusive of all allowances, a bonus of one month’s pay.