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 strong desire to avoid suspecting the Government of Jndia and the Local Government of a wish to precipitate ,-a conflict with the people, up to now all that I have heard and read leads me to the conclusion that my -suspicion is justified. Whilst I do not wish to deny the existence of some sort of pressure, even intimidation on the part of individuals, I do wish emphatically to .deny that in connection with the phenomenal hartal on the 17th November in Calcutta, there was any intimida- tion, organised or initiated by or on behalf of the Local Congress or (he Khilafat Committes. On the contrary, J 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 sim- plest 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 the Governor of Bengal has brought in the discovery of sword 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 Jeaders were arrested and in spite of the reported undue official pressure that was exercised upon shop-keepers ,and gharivallas at that place ? Again His Lordship says, " If we are to assume that this development jueans there is genuine desire to bring about improve- ment there must be a favourable atmosphere. In other

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