Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1853-11-23

THE BRITISH POSSESSIONS IN INDIA
Our territory is equal to all continental Europe,
Russia excepted. Pashawur is as far North of
Tanjpre as Stockholm is IF Naples; Chttagong
as far East Of Kurrachee as Athens is of Paris
Germany, Italy, France, Spain, Holland, Belgi-
um, Denmark, and Sweden, unitedy, do not
equal either our territory or our population The
report Of the grand trigonometricaI survey, which
has lately been printed for parliament, gives the
total area in square miles, 1868, lib; popula-
ton, Isl, l35, 9O2 And carrecled COPY with
which we have been favored adds seven millions
and half to this population, most Of which is in
our own territories, but part in the native states,
making the total l58, 774065. But the fact is,
that even fiom our territories many of the returns
are no better than guesses, and from the native
states few are TO be relied upon. 1t has, how
ever, generally proved that accurate returns give
higher population than previous estimates; and
after considerable attention to the subject for
years, we should not be surprised to find the Of
fetal statement gradually coming up from its
present advanced figure, 10 nearly two hundred
millions.
This splendid empire is distributed into four
governments or presidencies-Bengal, Madras,
Bombay, and Agra. The first is the seat of the
Governor General, and The supreme council; the
next two have each governor and council; and
Agra is administered by a Lieutenant Governor
without council. The army is-Queen's
troops, 30 ,480; Company European troops, 49,
928; Companys native troops, 240, l2I; total,
289 ,52S; native contingents commanded by Brit
ish officers, and available under treaties, 80, 900;
total at the disposal of the Governor General,
32I, 529
This is great army, yet its proportion to the
extent of the empire presents forcible comment
on the nature of the British rule Compare it
with the proportion which the armies Of the Con.
tnent bear 10 the population of the respective
countries, and you might imagine that they were
holding conquered nations, and we governing our
hereditary soil. Forty nine thousand out of the
whole are Englishmen-a less number than is gen.
orally found necessary TO garrison the one city of
Pans Even the native ralahs, with population
of 5000 goo, have 900 soldiers, while we,
with double the population, have lie, 900 less.
though they are guaranteed against external war
and we have to take all risks. Then our 240, 900
native troops are strength or weakness, lust
as our authority is popular or the reverse. Were
their attachment lost how formidable would they
be, taught in our mode ofwar, and five times ma
ny as the English soldiers Were they and the troops
OF The raJahs united against US, it would be So
600 against Gao, 900 You may travel through
India for days together without coming on a mill
tary station. You may pass through kingdoms,
with three millions or more inhabitants, contain
ing only one post of European troops. You may
find great cities without soldier the remains Of
vast Qualifications, near which not uniform is
visible. Facts such as these, when contrased
with the constant display of military force in the
countries of even civilized Europe, orciby prove
that the power of the English has foundations in
the homes of the people, as well as in the can
comments of the soldiery. In the native regiments
the officers are, as 10 numbers, about half aative
hall Engllshi but native officer can rise higher
Than 10 sort of captaincy or majority-and even
then is under the youngest European ensgn-a
position muchworse than that enjoyed by Hindoos
in the armies Of the Mussulmans. Bengal, Mad
ras, and Bombay have lhree distinct armies, and
three commanders in chief