am certain that the influence exerted by both these bodies was in the direction of avoiding all intimidation. Moral pressure there certainly was and will always be in all big movements but it must be clear to the simplest understanding that a complete “hartal,” such as Calcutta witnessed on the 17th November, would be an impossibility by mere intimidation. But, assume that there was intimidation, was there any reason for disbanding Volunteer Corps, Prohibiting public meetings, and enforcing laws which are under promise of repeal. Why has no attempt been made to prove a single case of intimidation? It grieves me to have to say that the Governor of Bengal has brought in the discovery of swords or sword sticks in one place in Calcutta to discredit large public organisations. Who intimidated the people into observing a complete “hartal” in Allahabad, after all the leaders were arrested, and in spite of the reported undue official pressure that was exercised upon shopkeepers and gharriwalas at that place?
Again His Lordship says:—“If we are to assume that this development means there is a genuine desire to bring about improvement, there must be a favourable atmosphere, in other words, it will be generally agreed that a truce must be
