It was vital that we should stamp out the impression that the Government of India could be defied with impunity, not in matters of opinion, mark you, but in matters affecting peace, order, life, and property—­that the Government in those elementary conditions of social existence could be defied with impunity.  I say, then—­it was vital in that week of December that these severe proceedings should be taken, if there was to be any fair and reasonable chance for those reforms which have since been laboriously hammered out, which had been for very many months upon the anvil, and to which we looked, as we look now, for a real pacification.  It was not the first time that this arbitrary power—­for it is that, I never disguise it—­was used.  It was used some years ago—­I forget how many.  I was talking the other day to an officer who was greatly concerned in it in Poona, and he described the conditions, and told me the effect was magical.  I do not say the effect of our proceedings the other day was magical.  I do not say that bombs and knives and pistols are at an end.  None of the officers in India think that we may not have some of these over again, but at any rate for the moment, and, I believe, for much more than the moment, we have secured order and tranquillity and acquiescence, and a warm approval of, and interest in, our reforms.  I have said we have had acceptance of our reforms.  What a curious thing it is that, after the reforms were announced, and after the deportations had taken place, still there came to Lord Minto deputations, and to me many telegrams, conveying their appreciation and gratitude for the reforms, and other things we have done.  Our good friends who move a vote of censure upon us, are better Indians than the Indians themselves.  I cannot imagine a more mistaken proceeding.

Let me say one more word about deportations.  It is true that there is no definite charge that could be produced in a court of law.  That is the very essence of the whole transaction.  Then it is said—­“Oh, but you look to the police; you get all your evidence from the police.”  That is not so.  The Government of India get their information, not evidence in a technical sense—­that is the root of the matter—­from important district officers.  But it is said then, “Who is to decide the value of the information?” I heard that one gentleman in the House of Commons said privately in ordinary talk, “If English country gentlemen were to decide this, we would not mind.”  Who do decide?  Do you think this is done by a police sergeant in a box?  On the contrary, every one of these nine cases of deportation has been examined and investigated—­by whom?  By Lord Minto, by the late Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal, by the present Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal, by two or three members of the Viceroy’s Executive Council.  Are we to suppose for a minute that men of this great station and authority and responsibility are going to issue a lettre de cachet for A.B.,