The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-10-08

Che Causes OF the Rebellion I'm IndiA-ArTi-
val OF the Rev. DR.. Hay.
We have had an interview with the Rev. L. G.
H'y, WAC las lately returned to this country
II ON India, where be has been reaidisg for the
'ast seven pears as a missionary Of the Presbyte-
'ian Board Of Foreign Missions. Mr.. Hay was
long rer dent a. Allahabad one of the principal
centres Of the Bengal mutiny, and l. the drst per-
con who has returned from the scene OF disaster
The narrative Of his escape from the massacre,
and lis views generally in regard to the mutiny,
have been already published in our columns
from the London papers, in which city he re-
ceived great conside ration, and his opinions were
eagerly sought for by the members of the govern
ment, in consequence of his high standing and
long personal acquaintance with affairs Of India
We learn from him that the causes of the mu-
tiny are more wide reaching in the Bengal Presi-
depcy than in either of the other two-Bombay
and Madras The principal Of these is to be found
in the policy pursued by the government in the
construction of the army While in Bombay
and Madras the native forces are constituted of
more heterogeneous materials in Bengal caste
has been recognized, and the entire force drawn
from q homogeneous set Of men, who have
always looked upon themselves as superior
class, and who never have and never will work
To be soldiers, and as such superior to other
men, is their social condition and pride. In thus
attaching to itself the military caste, the govern
ment believed that 1t was securing the strength
of the country, and that it could play off caste
against caste with security.
1t is this pampered pride that has now turned
upon those who fostered it. Musselmsu ambition
has Joined with the Brahminicsl teachers, and
they have used every means to stimulate the
pride of the Sepoys and their hatred for anything
that might tend to deprive them of their social
superiority. So far as regards the great mass Of
the other inhabitants, Mr.. Hay does not think
they are deeply imbued with the spirit of disaf
fiction. The administration of justice by the
Brithh officials has been equitable and though
come of the native officers of the government
have abused their power, and illtreated
the native population subject to them,
the mass of the people recognise in the British
rule far better administration than has ever
been experienced under native government.
They are therefore not deeply interested in the
success of the mutneers, except 80 far as the ex-
cited ianaticism of some may lead them to par
tcipate In it.
Mr.. Hay does not anticipate that the mutiny
will embrace Central and Southern India to any
considerable extent for the reason above stated;
and he thinks that Delhi cannot be retaken much
before the close of the year, if 80 soon. The re-
conquest of the Northern Presidency has to be
effected and it will probably be slow operation;
but of the ultimate success of the British troops
there can be no doubt. The destruction of vest
cd interests, however, will be great, and every
thing in the shape Of enterprise must be COM
menced anew. AS an instance, he states that the
entire establishment of the mission at Allahabad
has been destroyed, and the Presbyterian Board
of Foreign Missions has incurred loss of fully
two hundred thousand dollars He will arrange
soon to give public addresses on India, in the
hope to bring back to the Board, from the contri-
buttons of those interested in the subject in this
country, come portion of the great loss it has
sustained. His own personal losses have been so
great as to deprive him Of all the means he pos
sessed, and it was almost q miracle that be and
bis family escaped with their lives. Ii is his in
tention to proceed shortly to Washington to
place the information in his possession before the
government.