The Sun.
London, England, 1857-12-08 00:00:00

In the first place there are two kinds of journal—native Ito find this solid standing ground, it feats he has found might be produced among the sepons in one own par.
and English. The English pres; is not. the press of the 'in the native press a stepping-stone from which to direct It is worthy of remark that the n Boniearl treated
people of India. It is the press of the stranger, the his weapons against the press bath in India and in this the anti relative ti the press as it were'eL. ,
permanent-°-
pro.
press of the Governmentethe press of the governing class, 1, country. Suppose that two persons, one a native, and vision adopted for ever in India, whereas, in the letter
It advocates their interests. Ido not say that it may not 1 the other an Englishman, were taken before a megistrate already presented to Parliament and by the act itself, it
occasionally advocate also the general interest of the !in India, charge:', with offences. Suppose the proof against is clearly confined to one year, and is intended merely
country ; but that is not the particular object of the ! the native wasdecisive, while thatagainstthe Englishman to apply to the extraordinary and exceptional ciecnen.
English press; it is to represent the interests of those was extremely slight, and that the judgeshould say to the stances in which India is now placed. I may state that
by whom it is especially supported—the governing class, native, "Pandy"—that is what we call the natives new--. the English press in Indic, by an order of the noble earl
and these interests the English journals have to support " You are convicted upon the clearest evidence l your himself, is now prevented from obtaining that official it.
in divest contradiction to the general interests of the offence is of the deepest die; I cannot say the name of formation which it formerly used to possess. Since the
people of India. The native press, on the other hand— the Englishman, whose offence is very light, but I have promulgation of that order everybody connected with the
erroneously as we think, traitorously as it has lately no solid standing ground on which a line may be drawn ; Government of India has refrained from writing in the
seemed—take up what it conceives to be the cause of the I cannot snake any distinction between you, and there- press or giving it intelligence, and hence the absence of
population generally, and is opposed to the personal in- fore you must both be subject to the same punishment." any security except the loyalty and judgment of he ma•
terest of the governing classes. Being published in the Can you call that justice ? Do you think that the Euro- nagers for the wise and sober exorcise of its power.
English language the English press is perfectly innocu- peens with all their pride from the recollection of the The Earl of ELLENBOROUGH—The noble earl has
one as regards the people of India until the articles it liberties they enjoyed in their own country would suffer misapprehended the object and effect of my order. What
contains are translated. Meanwhile it has no more that I But observe that while this Act does that which is I did may be explained in few words. I found gentlemen
influence on the people of India than the English jour-
assunnecesary, while it aims at the freedom of the Eng ish in India who thought that public documents which came
nals would have upon the people of tbis country if they press well as that of the press of India, it fails alto- into their hands as servants of the Government were
were published in Greek or Latin. On the other hand, gether in doing that which is necessary. There is not in theirs to dispose of or make public for their own pure •
the native press has no influence whatever upon us, for the conditions one word with respect to the dissemina- poses whenever they pleased. I saw such infinite dangers
by us it is not read. However, there can be no doubt tion of information with respect to the movements of to the Government in the prevalence of that custom—a
that, although upon the people of India the English troops. At a moment like this that of all things is the custom which it would be impossible to tolerate in any
press can have effect whatever Until its articles are trans- most important to prevent. If you look back to the de- country, and which, if it existed here, the noble earl
,e
lated and have received a general circulation through spatches of the Duke of Wellington you will see how himself would say ought to be put down—that in clear
the native press, the native princes (and I think probably grievously he felt the injury on this point done by the and distinct terms I told the public functionaries what
all the more considerable persons in India) obtain for freedom and indiscretion of the press. (Hear.) I know their duty was, and desired them to do it. (Hear.)
themselves, as I have been informed, not through the its indiscretion in India. I know I was obliged almost Earl GRA.NVILLE—If the order was confined to
European press of India, but directly from this country, to violate the law in order to preserve that absolute the prevention of the publication of official information
translations of all the articles relating to the interests of secresy which I know to be necessary to the success of by subordinate servants of the Government, Ido not
India which appear in the English newspapers. That military movements. Yet, in respect to this Act there think there could be any objection to it.
source of information may and must remain open under is no condition to prevent the publicity of every mili ary The E•srl of ELLENBOROUGH—The order WI
all circumstances, whether it produces benefit or mischief, movement in India. (Hear.) We still give through our rendered necessary by the conduct of one of the moat
Now, there can be no doubt that the state of things in press full information to the enemy. There is not a single responsible persons in the country.
India was serious—there had been mutinies—more mu- newspaper which does not contain the most minute de- Earl GRA.NVILLE—The effect of it has been this,
tinies were expected—those mutinies had assumed the tails of every movement of the smallest detachment, to prevent any public official journal from forming any
character of revolution—there was so much appearance which does not disclose all our difficulties by stating win- re connexion with the press.
of danger—that Ido think the Government was perfectly we have guns and where we have not ; where we have Tee Earl of ELLEN BOROUGH—No official has a
justified in considering whether it would not be necessary ammunition and where not ; and where troops are with- right to publish public documents.
to restrain the indiscretion of the press in publishing that drawn to, some being described as sent to one place and Earl GRANVILLE —Exectly. But there is a diffe-
which might be injurious to the public service. My some to another. (Hear.) There is not one piece of in- reticle between that and an official making use of the press
lords, I know there are several points on which that indis. formation which the enemy would give a mint to possess as a channel through which to communicate to the public
eretion—l will use no harsher term—has assumed much that our press is not now allowed to gave to that enemy such news, arguments, or explanations as it ought to
prominence. I think, there, nothing could be more in India. (Hear.) Therefore, I say that it is not for a know. There would be nothing wrong, for example, in
proper if the Government, entering into confidential com- public object that publicity is not desired by the a police magistrate, in the event of au accusation being
munications with the editors of all those newspapers authorities in India, but it is for the purpose of brought against him, publishing a defence of his conduct
published at Calcutta had distinctly stated their views protecting the Government from the free observations in the newspapers. As the head of the department of
as to the danger of discussion upon particular topics in a of those who censure its conduct. I have already stated education, I would regard thepublication by the officiate
particular sense, and had ascertained whether the ern- that the most serious injury which the press can commit of anything calculated to promote the cause for which
tors were willing to come into some arrangement re- is still allowed to exist. Though there were 11 cases of the department was instituted as perfectly legitimate,
specting the publication of the newspapers, distinctly warning given for the suspension of European news- while I would condemn as criminal and most dishonour.
intimating that if those gentlemen were not disposed to p seers, the Government have not given warning in one able the disclosure of matters affecting the general go-
acquiesce in the suggestion the Government would take instance to any native newspaper, though it is perfectly vernment of the country. But, however, that may be,
some course by way of legislation on the subject. No well known that the native newspapers are full of the I wish to direct the attention of your lordships to the
such communication took place. The Governor-General most virulent invectives against Europeans. Still, that is fact that of late years the Euglish press in India, with
went down on the 13th of June to the Legislative Conn. permitted. There is another thing permitted, which I few exceptions, has been most violent in its attacks upon
cif ;he made a speech ;he proposed a bill, and in the deeply regret, and view with great alarm. It is very na- the Government, holding it up to contempt in every
course of the same day that bill became law. but by the tural, no doubt, that officers and gentlemen in India, possible way. The noble earl says it writes for English..
strangest inconsistency its operation did not commence having heard and peen what they have of the horrors men alone. lam told tnat is not the fact—it is read
till after the lapse of 14 days ;so that all the dangers committed in many eases against their friends and dearest extensively by natives acquainted with English ; its
which were depicted as arising from the disaffection of relatives, should write with very great excitement, and ' articles are translated in the native journals, and the .
the native press and the indiscretion of the European should indicate a disposition which, if carried out, would evils it has produced in this way have been of a very
press were allowed to increase and to produce the mis• be totally inconsistent with all possibility of a settled and grave character. For example, the Bombay papers
chief which might be effected during 14 days of exasper. peaceful government of India. But not one of their letters stated that the Government had determined to annex the
ation, those days covering the 23d of June, the anniver- is ever excluded from the European press. It is great in- territory of Baroda.
nary of Plassy, which was considered the most dangerous discretion on the part of the editors, as well as of the The Earl of ELLENBOROUGH—When was that
day for that country on account of the excitement of the Government, not to prevent the publication of such statement made!
native mind. Now, let me inform your lordships what letters. Therefore I say the Goverementdoes more injury Earl GRANVILLE—I do not know the precise date.
the provisions of that Act were. First of all, no printing by allowing, through the medium of the press, our ens- The Earl of ELLENBOROUGH—Was it before or
press was to be kept without a license from the Govern- mies to know every movement of our troops, and by after the passing of the act relative to the press I
ment, under a penalty of 5001. er two years' imprison- allowing every excited man to publish his feelings to the Earl GRANVILLE—Bef sre it. The Calcutta papers
inept, or both ; two years' imprisonment being death to natives, than by permitting the press to remain as it was announced that part of the deficiency in the public revs.
an European in India. Death I worse than death, even under the former system. (Hear.) I must allude to nue was to be met by a reduction of the allowances
because including every suffering that can be inflicted the feeling which exists in India on the subject of the granted to native princes. Such statements were, of -
upon the body. Secondly, the Act conferred the power English press. There is no one who can feel more deeply course, productive of much mischief, and, besides their
of searching for and seizing unlicensed presses. Then than I have the enormity of the crimes committed in effect upon the natives, I think Lord Canning had reason
applications for licenses were to be granted under such India. No one feels snore than Ido that it is absolutely to complain of them upon another ground. He was in
conditions, if any, as the Governor-General in Council, necessary to give future security to Englishmeu in that the habit of publishing in the Calcutta papers all the
or the Governor-General might think fit to prescribe, country by punishing in the most exemplary manner all information which he received of an authentic character,
and such licenses might be revoked at pleasure. The whoahould be convicted of having perpetrated those and yet it was no unusual thing to find in the same
conditions might be exactly whatever the Governor- crimes. (Hear.) The crime of the soldier who attacks journals, by the side of the official intelligence obtained
General chose. The Governor-General might, if he his officer is to my view the crime of parricide. The from the Government, news of an entirely opposite cha-
thought fit, under this Act, require that there should crime of a man who violates a woman is so horrible that ratter, for which there was no foundation whatever, and
be a previous censorship, and very much better would for my part I should wish that in the legislation of all calculated to cause great detriment to the English cause.
it have been if he had determined upon taking that the world the punishment—the inexorable punishment That was conduct that could not be overlooked. (Hear.)
course, because a previous censorship, conducted with —for it were death. But could any one have contern- I have heard it said that the Indian Government have
intelligence would have altogether prevented the mis- plated the possibility of a crime so extensively com• acted with greater rigour towards the English than
chief apprehended from the indiscretion of the news- witted in India—the crime of torturing and near towards the native press. The fact is, I believe, that
papers. The course which has been adopted allows the dering children I There is something so revolting to except in one or two instances, where it has been
found
mischief, and only attempts to prevent it by punishment human nature in such a crime that I cannot understand necessary to take an officer into custody, the native press
subsequently to the issue of publications which may how any mercy could possibly be shown for so horrible has submitted itself peaceably to the instructions issued
have been injurious ; but I think in the state of real an offence. (Hear, hear.) I would persecute with un- by Government, whereas the English press, with that
danger which existed, that the censorship would have remitting zeal the perpetrators of those horrible crimes. firmness which characterises us all, has become more
been infinitely preferable to the course which has been God would not forgive us if we pardoned them ; but I unfriendly than ever. It was absolutely necessary that
followed. The Act provides that, if the editor of a do entreat your lordships, and the people of this country, the Government should proceed against the English
newspaper agrees to certain conditions, the penalty for and our countrymen in India, to recollect that for pun- press, for it would have made itself a laughing-stock to
violating such conditions shall be a fine of 5001. and two ishment to produce real effect there must be discrimina- the whoe of India if, after having passed such an act, it
years' imprisonment. It further provides that books, tion. (Hear.) To produce effect the punishment even bad refrained from putting it into execution. (Hear.) I
&c., printed at a licensed press shall have the printer's of the greatest offences must appear to be inflicted after are the more anxious to state the grounds upon which I
anpublisher's names, and that copies shall be sent to ample investigation from the judicial administrators of think the conduct of the Government quite defensible,
the magistrates. Besides this, the Governor-General , the law. (Rear, hear.) It must not appear to be the ' and, indeed, imperatively called for by a sense of public
may prohibit the circulation of any book, newspaper, result of the wild vengeance of a private individual. duty, because I believe there is no doubt that it is this
or ntriottd paper, wherever printed ; and whoever know. (Hear, hear.) If it be desired that out, empire in India act which has caused all the virulent attacks which have
ingly imports, publishes, or circulates, or causes to be should be, as I trust it will, eternal, it can rest only been made by the Indian press upon Lord Canning since
published or circulated, any such newspaper or printed upon mutual confidence between the governors and tie promulgation of the restrictions. (Hear.) The noble
paper, is liable to the penalty of 500/., or two years' governed, and I trust that in the hour of victory, if we lord said that the Government passed the act to defend
imprisonment. Now,' these being the provisions of the should triumph, we shall be found as jealous of our itself. Now, there were no personal attacks upon Lord
Act, it is necessary to see what were the conditions honour as in the hour of difficulty, for by acting on such Canning in the press previous to the passing of the ant,
required from the editors. Those conditions were— a principle we shall, if so unfortunate as to fall, be accom- and therefore there could be no vindictive feeling on the
"That no book, pamphlet, newspaper, or other work, panied in our fall by that which we have hitherto carried part of the Governor-General. I find in a July number
shall contain any observations ' impugning the motives or with us, and I hope ever will carry with us through of one of the leading Calcutta papers, which smarts
designs of the British Government, either in England or this great contest, the sympathy and goodwill of Euro- under the infliction of a " warning," a statement to the
India, or in any way tending to bring it ' into contempt,' peen nations. (Hear, hear.) The noble earl concluded effect that up to the time of the restrictions every Euro-
' weaken its authority,' or that of 'its servants, civil or by moving for a copy of the Arms Act lately passed by pean in India gave not only his support, but his sym-
military. the Legislative Council of India ; also, a return of all pathy to Lord Canning. That, it seems to me, stands
"Nor anything 'having a tendency to create suspicion' native and European newspapers licensed under the Act rather in contradiction to the bitter accusations which
in the native mind of interference with their religion. of the Legislative Council of India passed on the 13th now proceed from the same quarter; it shows, at all
"Nor to weaken thelfriendship of native Princes towards June last ; and also, copies of all letters of warning ad- events, the estimation in which Lord Canning was held
dressed to the editors of any such native and Europntn previous to the passing of the act relative to the press.
newspapers respectively, and of all revocations of the I believe that Lord Canning, receiving representations—
licenses, if any, of such newspapers, and of all °erre- not from those surrounding him in Calcutta, but from
spondence relating to the restitution thereof. the highest military and civil authorities in the country,
Earl GRANVILLE—The noble earl, in pursuance of as to the dangerous tendency of much of the writing
his notice, has directed his attention chiefly to the sub- both in the English and the native press, was more than
jects of the Arms Act and the Act which places restric- juw.hsteinfiead i
iltnhpassing a temporary restrictive act at a time
e energy
eaonf
cause.
wasGsvovitehrnmentt a the closingreciniredto
Lions on the press in India ; but he began bystating that defend the English
alarm had been felt in Calcutta for the safety of that remarks of the noble earl nothing, respectam sure, could be
place. This very circumstance was fully investigated, moreocifuahi n
taedd. admirable, rnimltitbh
clrleied,nyedespecially
aob.uantl ?
i lbelievel one man
saittnuhgitufpprti
uoottietl;oecnfoitni
mutiny,
etcnuhts:atoi
taniwe
questionnt]
al well
suahre.--
and it was ascertained that there was nothing to warrant
any real alarm as to the safety of Calcutta. The
der, s ourwilnu
Arms Act to which the noble earl referred contains pro- ment should be administered asia
visions with respect to the importation of saltpetre and served from all character of private vengeance.• I pre-
visionsand with respect to dealing in arms. As the noble glad to hear the noble earl affirm so firm and positively
guns, all the principles. of Lord Canning's policy with regard
earl has not alluded to that part of the measure, it is not
to the punishment of the guilty, and the showing, I will
necessary for me to go into it. The other part of the
not say mercy ,but justice to the innocent. I agree with
measure I do not think in any way meets the description I the noble earl that the only means of insuring good go-
which the noble earl gave of it. Tke Act does not ha- vernment in India is to produce and encourage confi.
mediately compel the Europeans and natives to give UP dence between the people and their rulers. If our govern.
their arms, or to obtain licenses to carry them ; but it ment is to continue, our only object must be the happiness
enables the Governor-General in Council to proclaim of those whom we govern. That object is perfectly corn-
any district, reserving to himself the power of exempting p'atible with the best interests of the English nation, and
from the operation of the Act any persons or classes of I believe that when these events are calmly considered,
persons whom he may think fit to exempt. I know that and at all events when history shall pronounce its verdict,
at Calcutta there was a very general wish that martial nothing will so entirely justify Lord Canning as the
law should be at once established and general disappoint- calmness and firmness with which he resisted the press
ment took place that that was not done. It has been sure to which he was subjected to induce him to place
said that Sir Colin Campbell, supported by the Governor- Europeans and natives on a different footing. His con-
General, desired the establishment of martial law, but duct in this respect will, when this disastrous mutiny
there is not the slightest foundation for that statement. I has been euppreseed, enable the Government to resume
The town was not in danger, and continued perfectly its former course, and to be administered without its
tranquil during the two ahomedan festivals, when being regarded by the natives as a tyrannical and hostile
danger was most to be apprehended. With respect to the power. This calmness and courage Lord Canning has
defence of the lives and property of the inhabitantstheir displayed in the highest degree. I have seen letters in
lordships would recollect the ridicule with which on a which he has been accused of every compatible and in-
former occasion the noble earl treated the idea of persons compatible deficiency a man could exhibit under such
going about with revolvers under their umbrellas to de- circumstances ; but I am bound to say that in some of
tend themselves. But the noble earl's objection to the these very letters, written before Delhi was taken or
Act is that Europeans are comprehended within its pro • Lucknow reached, I have seen imputations of aotual
visions as well as natives, and he says this is not the cowardice east upon both General Wilson and General
policy we ought to pursue—but the policy should be to Havelock, the results of whose operations have shown
make the English be like Normans and the natives like that not only was every bit of caution which they die-
Saxens. I cannot agree in that opinion, which I think played absolutely necessary, but that their objects have
is perfectly inconsistent with that portion of the noble been attained only by the most heroic exertions on their
earl's speech in which be observed that without mutual parts. (Hear, hear.) On the other hand, my lords, I
feelings of kindness the government of India could not be have seen letters—from young men, it is true, whose
carried on. Nothing could be more inconsistent with opinions are not worth much, but still showing that the
such an opinion than the announcement in this house by conversation which they hear is not all on one side—
one of its most eloquent members, and one, too, who has defending Lord Canning's character and conduct, and
had so much experience
.in India, that the few resident complaining of the uufe'rness of the attacks to which he
English there should act as Normans, and that the has bean subjected. I have also seen letters from some
millions of natives should be treated like conquered of the ablest Indian officers, praising in the highest
Saxons. A suggestion was made to Lord Canning that terms the courage and coolness of Lord Canning. I
Christians should be exempted from the Act, but, most have seen letters from civilians who have passed their
properly I think, he felt that, since many of the native whole lives in India, holding exactly the same language,
rajahs, zemiiadars, and their retainers, had exposed their and stating that the real cause of Lord Canning's un-
lives and property in order to stand by the cause of the popularity among a certain portion of the Calcutta
Government, any act subjecting them to a disarmment people is the singular calmness and absence of fidget
from which all Europeans and Christians were expressly with which he has applied all his energies to the work
exempted would have been a most unwise and impolitic in hand. Do you wi,h to know what General Mane.
measure. (Hear.) Supposing the Act proclaimed in any field thinks I General Mansfield said, by the first mail,
district, can your lordships imagine that it would be that he could only judge Lord Canning to be one of
difficult fur a loyal Englishman who wishes to be ex- the ablest men of business that he had ever met; by
empted to give at once the only notice required with re- the second mail he wrote that, having had some
gard to the number of arms which he possesses and opportunity of ascertaining facts, his belief was that
which he desires to retain 1 It must be obvious that the one calm head in Calcutta was that upon Lord
every Englishman worthy of the name will be very glad Canning's shoulders, (Hear, hear.) Sir Colin Campbell
to comply with the Act in that respect, and nothing thinks that the English in India are fortunate in having
more will be required of him, for the Act provides that at their head at this moment so able a chief, so perfect a
in a proclaimed district wherever any person makes a gentleman, and such an admirable man of business as
return of the arms in his possession and requests to be Lord Canning. I think that, at a moment when great
was r.
allowed to retain them he will receive a license enabling panic existed iu Calcutta, he w
eth in
him to do so. There can be no objection, surethe subject wasly, to such self to troo whhoesne
that,as our doinion in India
an Act. (Hear.) The noble earl, leaving at a time w h
edfiel felt ht bsesuspt
mected gut it
of the Arms Act, proceeded to comment quest the re- depended
anapoenf
tthheegbreelaiteefaitnimoupresretalfn-ceoentfihdaetntcheaahnedadcouni
strictions placed on the press, and that on be rage, it w
nhetsbeatcountry should not be thought to
qualities. (Hear, hear.) And I
seemed rather to
adnarkaettnaebky
utphoenstthaetellißernittiathhaptreLaso,radt thheedEefitierioepnetainns it
Canning had made
home. .1 deny that statement.
tilceadtomLitotrhdatCpanoning. With re-
I believe Lord Canning am quite sure that, among Englishmen even, too great
would be infinitely
iyintnthionanfn tulabelinnoble earl hirnsll an indiff,r,,nce to personal danger is not likely very long
questions in the to tell against Lord Canning. I have thought it right
to object tothe freest disc
possibly there may
the enlightenment of every I
press, or to the widest circn an
asspofntani3trhittinsgh teanudbigttio. tgoarsda
ytoththuossmeutuwhoiAn Jcutse,
Nobody but a madman
daywould think of attacking the be defects in their details, but I cannot see the justice of
which such a questionthehasbrought against
on accusations which the noble earl
and
theture to ontem ate such a thing, them, anl certainly believe that by the means of these
press at home ;
may arise, if we can yen in eine' la conciliating the native tribes
as partly stated by the has been carried out, without in the slightest
aHtleaorf, hEeharL.
will be a day dark and gleomy i the annals of England. meas cresthe principle of e Tt.
But the English press in India,
.degree ear
e
noble earl, stands on a perfectly different footin • from dangering the lives or the property of the European real-
rmeossrehdei:e- dents.
E(
tke press at home.
The noble earl sta e.)ENBOROIJGH—If I unertood
similar. Nothing,
tmddeteda,
hat is soh true that I believe the noble earl correctl hopinions that
represented the people. Tteatuhehep
y, e expressed the
which is not represented by a portion of Lord Canning is more favourable to the liberty of the
there is no class
It is to be remembered that our press than lam
the aggregate press.
by the llof P V e '
• assisted and controlled - Earl GRA.NVILLE—More favourable to free discus-
press is
t and by the public meetings which are constantly eions
men Free discussion I I
held all over the country, The press certainly influences Lord ELLENBOROUG.II—
Lord Ca
and assists in the formation of public opinion, but public thought it was about the press. As to
Act.that,
r I Can-
opinion daily reacts upon the press, checking and con- ning, a Liberal, was the anther of this
o muchhad
trolling it in a variety of ways. A wholly difterent state peen in India three days I was
I subjectedsawthe danger more
arising
of things exists in India. The noble earl must have read abuse than Lord Canning•
and it
the minute of Sir T. Munro, and although he may not from the indiscretion of thehnpre
nhat I didw" "t
for
entirely agree with it, yet the authority of Sir T. Munro want of suggestions froth
Them not adopt
is not to be put aside, especially when he points out what some measure against. it. Directors, I recollect,
that it would be advisable to impose
dangers may accrue in India from the errors of the Eeg- suggested to me .
Loh press, referring particularly to the Misch i e f s whichsome restrictions upon the prop, and that it would

Us.
"The above conditions apply equally to original matter
and to matter copied from other publications."
Now, of these conditions I think that which requires
that nothing shall be published which has a tendency
to create suspicion in the native mind of inter-
ference with their religion, and also that which
requires that nothing shall be published which
may tend to weaken the friendship of native princes
towards us, are perfectly legitimate ; nor do I
understand that these conditions have in any case been
violated. I know myself the extreme danger which is
created by the circulation of opinions as if they were
the views entertained by the Government with respect
to native Powers. No one in my time ever threw the
slightest suspicion upon the views of the Government
with regard to the religion of the people ; but I know
well the danger of saying anything which may weaken
the friendship of the native princes. If that provision
had not been introduced, or if the editors of newspapers
acting in conformity with the opinion of the Govern-
ment, had not abstained from publishing statements
which might have weakened the friendship of the native
princes, I really know not what might have been the
condition of our Indian empire at the present time. We
owe the safety of our communications in an extensive
district altogether to the fidelity of the Rajahs of Rewah
and Gwalior ; but, if instead of abstaining from making
observations upon the conduct of those princes, thelndian
newspapers had expressed doubts of their fidelity, and in
the spirit which too much animates persons in that country
had expressed ahope that when our rule was re-established
there would be further and further annexations, I assure
you that every part of central India chiefs as well as subjects
would have been in arms against us. I therefore entirely
agree with the Government in the necessity of making that
condition, and also in the necessity of making the con-
dition with respect to the religion of the natives ; but
observe how these conditions fail in meeting the require-
ments, which are equally, or nearly equally pressing,
and how the Act itself and the conditions imposed under
it go altogether beyond the necessity of the case. No
doubt inconvenience may result—under some circum-
stances there may be more than inconvenience—from the
dissemination through the press in India of observations
tending to bring the Government of that country into
contempt. But the provisions of this Act are not con-
fined to the general conduct of the Government in
India, but they apply to the conduct of the Government
of this country in so far as it affects the Indian empire.
Ali that the Government of India have to do is to pre-
serve their own safety, and to leave us to ourselves; but
instead of confining themselves to this object, they make
the penalties attach to any newspapers or books what-
ever, wherever printed, and also to newspapers which
republish papers printed elsewhere. Indeed, in a recent
case a newspaper was either warned or suppressed—l
don't remember which—for republishing in India an
article from a newspaper called the Press, published in
this country. Now, observe what the effect of this
provision really is. This law prohibits the press of
India from speaking freely on the subject of the position
of Englishmen in that country, and also with reference
to the conduct of the Government there ; and, so far as
it can, it extends its coercion to the press of this country,
for it provides for prohibiting the publication of anything
which has been published in England that may not suit
the views of the Government of India, and from the day
of such prohibition any English gentleman in India who
knowingly receives a book or a newspaper so prohibited
will be liable to a penalty of 5001., ard to two years'
imprisonment. Why, my lords, the things most injuri-
ous to the Government of India are the debates which
sometimes take place in this house—(cheers)—such
debates as took place on the first day of this ses-
sion, and such as may be expected during its pro-
gress. Is nothing to be said during those debates
which is not laudatory of the Government here and
in India 4 Is nothing whatever to be said impugning the
conduct of the Government here, or the policy of the
Government of India I If, however, in any one of those
debates anything is said of such a nature, the Governor-
General may require that the English newspapers con-
taining them shall be, taken to him, and, on finding
anything objectionable in the report of any speech in
either House of Parliament, he may prohibit the circula-
tion of such newspaper, and any gentleman who
knowingly receives the Times or the Daily News of a
certain date, after that prohibition, is subject to a
penalty of 5001. and two years' imprisonment. My
lords, I don't know whether it is the object of this pro-
vision, but certainly its effect, if fully carried out—and
from the warning given to a newspaper for republishing
a paragraph from an :English newspaper I have no doubt
it is intended fully to carry it out—its effect will be
to deprive us in this• country of knowing through the
press what are the opinions of our countrymen in India,
and to deprive them of what is still more important, the
opportunity of knowing what we think of them. (Hear,
hear.) It wills establish a system of mntual ignorance.
The Governor-General said, when he imposed the law,
that it was directed against the native press; that the
native press bad publhihed that which was injurious to
the State ; that he could not say the same of the English
press • but that he could not see any solid standing
ground on which a line might be drawn - marking out
the difference between one and the other. That, again,
is following out the insane principle of treating in India
—and especially at the present time—natives and
Europeans upon the same footing. (Cheers.) But,
Although the Governor-General may not have been able