Perronet Thompson, Ko, KELE. Indian Civil Service (1887-1902) Chief Commissioner of the. Delhi Province (1028-1982). Member of the Council of State, (1923-1932). With a Preface by John Buchan, Cy am, Macmillan, London. 1/~
Mr. John Buchan in his foreword emphasises the fact that Sir John Thompson writes without free from sentimentality, and with ex: pert knowledge." The tribute is ex. optionally well merited, This isa plain and short exposition of the Intentions and proposals" of the White Paper, ang itis further made valuable by the inclusion chapter examining briefly and dispassionately some of the criticisms which have been levelled against the Government in respect. of the Scheme." The strongest. comniendation of the perusal of this brochure given without reserve to anyone who desires to get a reliable appre-lation of the constitutional problem {in India, The importance of the subject ts great, because it fa clear that Mr. Baldwin faces a very strong and ce "opposition within hia' own party because of his support of thes proposals. "Sir John" Thompson's Personality is a pertinent considera. Hon. An able Chief Secretary under' Sir "Michael O'Dwyer, ands eyoted supporter of that' admini-Strator, Sir John Thompson, unlike Sir Michael, was able to remain in India. to take active part in the yorking' of the aystem which Sir Michael so. vehemently condemned, From the purely personal point of ple, Sie John sacro." The need filiation, made it diffeule for Lord for introducing. a. policy of con
Reading's Government to ignore the hostility of Indian political opinion toward anyone connected. with the Punjab Administration under Michael. "On that account alone Sit John was taken out of the ordinary courte of 0 He at-
India ang eventually Chief Commissioner of Delhi, but there is no doubt that, by the events of 1919, he was Laulki ren nigher honours in the Administration. In short, he normally would have been the legitimate successor to Sir Malcolm Bailey as Governor of the Punjab. These personal observations are made in order to show that if anyone had personal reason: like the reforms, Sir John It is, therefore, stimulating and instructive to find that in his con-eluding paragraphs he boldly faces the criticism of the Winston Churchill school with these remarks:
An argument often heard democracy is quite discredited, Setually on its death-bed, in Europe, would be the height of folly to give India a democratic system of government at such a time. 1 fo net quite know how far intended. chat this. argument shou!
pressed, Ta it seriously. proposed thal India, which we have taught 10 Delieve in' democracy asthe highest {form of government known to human-fay with hag been, dacuasing with gland for the last four years the big step that fo be taken in that direction, should until we heve, perhaps Uwentyfive oF Afty years hence, made top on minds what Feally is the best possible fo Mea. is dangerous and impracticable. When I tay that it ie dangerous, am. not thinking Primarily of the What f fear is
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.