The Indian Review December 1929 A Monthly Periodical Devoted to the Discussion of All Topics of Interest

Before proceeding to consider the very important constitutional questions raised by the Indian Princes it is necessary to clear the ground with reference to the issue raised by the subjects of the indian States Should the Conference Le triangular or quadrilateral Natural as may be the feeling of disappointment among the subjects of the Indian States it is not possible for the Viceroy to have gi [...] Pledged as the British Government is to a policy of non-interference in the internal affairs of the Indian States arid bound as they are by treaties to respect the internal independence of the ruling Princes it would have been strange for the British Government to have included within the scope of the Confeence questions relating to the internal adminitration of the various States. [...] The issue raised relates not to the existence of the exceptional power but to the normal constitutional relations between the Government of India and the Governments of the Indian States. [...] If it is constitutionally not possible for the Government of India to778 THE INDIAN REVIEW [ DECEMBER 1929 widen the business of the Conference so as to include the internal administration of the States it is impossible to question the correctness of the decision to invite only the rulers of the States. [...] It was recommended by the Butler Committee that the Viceroy and not the Governor-General-in-Council should in future be the Agent of the Crown in its relations with the Princes and that the relatioship between the paramount power and the Princes shonld not be transferred without the agreement of the latter to a new government in British India responsible to an Indian Legislature.