29 OCTOBER 1921, Page 2

The Prince of Wales left Portsmouth in the Renown' on

Wednesday on his long tour to India and Japan. The good wishes of all will go with him in a journey which should be pro. foundly interesting and which should strengthen the loyal elements in India. It is to be regretted that Lord Curzon, in the House of Lords on Tuesday, should- have tried to use the Prince's tour as an excuse for stiffing debate on Indian affairs.

There was no reason why Lord Sydenham, Lord Salisbury and Lord Ampthill should not give expression to the very grave anxiety felt by thoughtful men about the situation in India. Mr. Montagu has contrived only too successfully to evade or to silence criticism of his fatal policy in the House of Commons, but the House of Lords is not, and ought not, to be muzzled. Lord Chelmsford claimed for himself the dubious distinction of inventing the laissez faire policy, in regard to Mr. Gandhi and his fellow-agitators, which is fast reducing India to con- fusion. But the responsibility rests with Mr. Montagu, who has deliberately undone the good work of generations of wise and honourable British administrators in giving India peace, order and prosperity.