New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-11-02
RRLTLSH INDIA.

BRITISH INDIA.
The military revolt of 1857, known as the
Indian Mutiny, so full of bloody memories has
indirectly produced remarkable results affecting
the well-beng of the teeming population OF the
AnpIo-Indian Empire. For two centuries pre-
vious To that outbreak. British power in India
was little more than unmitigated selfishneSs.
And not without reason were the English once
reproached with the charge that if they were
driven from India their only memorial would
be pyramids of empty beer bottles But this
has been changed. The mutiny broke upon
England like a thunder clap. arousing the ma
ton to a sense of the precarlous tenure by
which it held India, and convincing its states
men that n new policy OF Government based
upon Justice and humanity, was absolutely
necessary. The progress Of British India during
the last ten years, owing to the adoption OF
this policy, has been great; while the improve
ments already made are but the forerunners OF
important future enterprises.
Railway enterprise in India antedates the
mutiny by many Yeas, but since that event old
lines have been greatly extended and several
new ones opened, so that now the country has
system of railroads uniting Bombay, Cal
cutta and Madras with the extreme provinces of
the North West During the last decade 100000
tuns of railway iron have been obtained from
England; numerous substantial railroad bridges
have been thrown over great rivers; and the
construction of several of the roads present, 1t
is said. q series of mechanical triumphs to
which English engineering can show but Few
parallcls. In addition it is now proposed to
build 1900 miles of new line, at the rate OF 300
miles a year, and at total cost Of one
hundred millions sterling, the management
of the undertaking to DO vested III the
Indian Government, whether the roads be made
by the State or by private companies lrriga-
ton, too upon which, in country like India.
successful agriculture so greatly depends. is
receiving a large share of attention. Already
heavy outlay has been made for this
purpose, and the British Government is about
TO be asked to become security for loan of
several millions of pounds to construct works
intended to rival in magnitude the great crea-
tons of ancient India. How stupendous these
were may be judged from the fact that, In
fourteen districts Of the Madras Pres-
dency, there are at present upward OF
$4,000 tanks and channels in repair,
with probably 10000 miles of embank-
ments The production of cotton also demands
notice In the first year of our civil war the
value of the cotton exported from India was
not quite S2S,O000O0; but under the fostering
care of the Government, aided by private
capital. the yield this year Is estimated ut
1926, 900 900, gold. The cultivation of the tea
plant which has proved very successful, is
likewise spreading, as is also that of the Gin
chona tree, from the bark of which we get
auinine Forests of this CinchOna, planted in
recent years, are growing up in the billy re-
gions of the northern provinces. While
the industrial resources of India are
being thus rapidly developed, the Gov
eminent is holding out every encourage
ment to education. Colleges are multiply
ing, and 10000 schools, attended by 100000 ma
tive children, are in active operation.
What effect all this will have upon the con-
tinuance of British rule there-whether it will
reconcile the HindOOs TO foreign domination,
and render impossible renewal of the horrors
Of 1S57-is yet TO be seen. England has GER
tainly been very obtuse in learning to govern
Justly her Asiatic dependencies, and has still to
contend with formidable prejudices, the growth
OF centuries. Now, however, that she seeks to
consolidate her power in the Orient by civil
ization rather than by the sword, her chances
for retaining India are greater than they were,
always providing that Russia does not inter-
fere with her plans But, in any event, her
present policy will partially atone for some of
the crime that has marked her progress in the
East, and, persevered in, will lay the founda-
tons, broad and deep, of what seems destined
to be q great and prosperous nation.