That is worthy of the leader of the Bengalee nation! To circulate--this falsehood! It may be within the recollection of many of you (Jatra Mohan Babu nods his head)--it is within the recollection of our distinguished Chairman--this falsehood originated in Colootolla in the year 1906 or 1907. The falsity of this was demonstrated then, and now in the year of grace, 1918, we find the truthful Editor of the _Bengalee_ newspaper referring to that lie and putting forward that lie as an argument against the popular party. "We are told that we must fearlessly criticise the proposals, if they fall short of our ideal. But if they do not, what then?" Well then, we accept it (Laughter). What is there to say about it? Then it goes on to say: "The circular assumes that Mr. Montagu's proposals are bound to be unsatisfactory and that they will mean little or nothing." Where does the Circular assume that? The Circular merely asserts that if it is, it is our bounden duty to protest against that. Nothing more. I need not read the rest of it. There is another passage which however I must read to you: "Why then sound the tocsin of alarm and seek to create a prejudice for which so far as there is no warrant and against which there is a strong body of presumptive evidence. Why talk of fearless criticism and united front"? This comes from Mr. Surendranath Banerjea! Surely we are fallen on evil times! THE OLD "LEADER'S ADVICE TO THE PEOPLE." Then our editor goes on to say: "If they are satisfactory they should be welcomed; if they are partly satisfactory they should be welcomed to that extent." (Never) And why? "For the British public would then feel inclined to drop them altogether." To drop them altogether! Now, gentlemen, you have seen what that article is. The letter which was written by the Secretaries of the Provincial Congress Committee is merely put forward as an excuse. What is put forward before the people of Bengal is this; if it is satisfactory, of course, we should accept it. If not? In the article which appeared the next day, he made his position clearer. He said the difficulty is this: The Europeans are clamouring against it--the Indo-European Association in England is fighting against it--and if you, the people of Bengal say that you do not want it, why the British people will say 'then drop it altogether.' My answer to that is: let it be dropped if it is not satisfactory. Mr. Surendranath Banerjea admits it in this writing--let me quote his exact words: "We quite admit that there have been many paper announcements in the past: and it is only too true that the pages of Anglo-Indian history are strewn broadcast with the fragments of broken pledges."