§ 14. Mr. C. BATHURSTasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether a telegraphic report concerning the imprisonment for twelve months of Mr. William Channing Arnold, the editor of the Burma Critic, has yet been received from the Government of India; and, if so, what is the purport of such report; and how far does it justify a punishment of such severity?
Mr. BAKERThe Secretary of State has received a telegram from the Government of India informing him that they desire to defer expressing their views upon the case until they have received and considered the full report of the trial and the matured conclusions of the Lieutenant-Governor of Burma. In the meantime a petition has been filed in the Chief Court for the revision of the order of the magistrate, upon which Mr. Arnold commented and was convicted before a jury for defamation. A full bench of the Chief Court now have the question of revision under consideration.
§ Mr. C. BATHURSTWould it not be only fair to Mr. Arnold, under these circumstances, that he should be released on bail in the meantime?
Mr. BAKERThat is entirely a matter of opinion. If the hon. Gentleman will give notice of the question I will give him the Secretary of State's opinion once again.