Simon Report

While His Majesty's Government in India met crises which demanded news-suppression (see p. 28). Prime Minister MacDonald seemed content to voice this policy: "Wait for the Simon report."

Some two years ago Parliament appointed that great Liberal barrister Sir John Simon to chairman a non-partisan commission (TIME. Jan. 30, 1928) which spent a year in India, amassing mountains of research. Last week the Simon Report was complete at last in two fat tomes: Vol. I History; Vol. II Recommendations.

Under the Official Secrets Act (see p. 28) the MacDonald Government threatened dire punishment to any British paper which scoops the report before it is officially released. Vol. I two weeks hence. Vol. II four weeks hence. George V and Mr. MacDonald received their copies last week. Current London opinion was that the Simon Report will pussyfoot, will recommend nothing which can bridge the gulf between India and Britain.

As his constructive contribution of the week. Baron Irwin. Viceroy of India, set Oct. 20 next as the date for a Round Table Conference in London between Englishmen and Indians.

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