INDIA: Of Time and the Measure

One day in August 1917, after Indian troops had fought long and loyally in Mesopotamia against the Turks—Mohammedans against Mohammedans—and in France against the Germans—Aryans against "Aryans"—British Secretary of State for India Edwin S. Montagu announced in Parliament that His Majesty's grateful Government was in favor of the "development of self-governing institutions ... in India." But there was a catch: Britain herself must judge "the time and the measure" of each step towards dominion status.

The time has been long, the measure small. India is still an Empire, with Britain's King...