The Jallianwala Bagh Incident.

WE have already examined some of the statements and observations made by the Hon. Mr. Thompson in his recent speech in the Indian Legislative Council. It would be both futile and undesirable to examine every single passage in the speech which is open to criticism, or in regard to which the Indian public holds strong views. There are one or two parts of the speech, however, that cannot be allowed to pass entirely unnoticed. One of these is the part in which Mr. Thompson attempted a reply to the Pandit’s allegations about the Jallianwala Bagh incident. Mr. Thompson wisely avoided dwelling at length on this extremely painful incident, and confined himself to making certain remarks regarding the number of casualties. To these remarks we shall presently refer, but they were preceded by an admission which deserves passing notice. “I dare say,” said the Hon. Member, “we shall never know the exact number of persons who met their deaths in the garden.” The admission, it is obvious, cuts both ways. If we shall never know the exact number, the Sewa Samiti workers have, prima facie, the same right to believe in the approximate correctness of their figures that the authorities have to believe in theirs. But this is the least important part of the matter. The real question is, why can we never know the exact number? Is it because too long a time has elapsed since the incident took place? If so, who is responsible for the delay? Why were not prompt steps taken by the authorities, whether civil or military, at the very time the incident took place, to ascertain the actual casualties? Admittedly at that time or immediately after the authorities had the situation completely in hand, and surely nothing would have been easier than for them to obtain correct figures if they had tried. Why was no adequate effort made in this direction?