Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-12-06
Judge KELLEY would say:
The Crisis IN India.

Recently, in discussing the situation In
India, we stated that confsgration might
be started at any moment, which, with
EDgiand's other foreign complications,
would keep her hands full. This view Is
justified by later adviccs. Not only is there
disaffection in Hyderabad, where the riot
we alluded to took place, and whose ruler
maintains an army Of fifty thousand men,
but 1t is now stated that great anxiety is felt
as TO the Mahratta State Gwalion. Thepopu-
lation Of that State Is about three million,
the ruler is brave and popular, and he like
wise can probably put into the field fifty
thousand trained soldiers. Further: In
formation has been received from London
that officers In high authority In India have
sent to England urgent demands that they
be empowered to establish camps OF refuge
for women and children, in order to be
ready in case Of mutiny, and it seems to be
an open secret that Russian emissaries are
busy among the native princes fostering
the idea OF independence.
All this indicates a serious state Of af.
fsirs-indicates that crisis Is approach
ing. Yet we think that such OF our con-
temporaries as see in II the SCATTERING OF
British power In the Indian possessions are
going a little too far. There Is another side
to be looked at. The fact that England Is
forewarned argues that she is forearmed.
II must not be forgotten that there is a con-
sentative element in the native population
OF India. The elements that are to be
feared the princes, that aspire to In.
derendence-are Mahommedan, and the
idea Of the establishment OF the grinding
tyranny OF Mahommedan rule is night
msre 10 millions to whom English power,
we may say English protection, has been
grateful. In case OF rebellion the hardy
Sikhs OF the Puniab would flock by thou
sands, as they did in 1857, to the assistance
OF the British, as would thousands who,
having embarked In Industrial enterprises
and received the benefits OF education and
civilization, are interested In the mainte-
nance Of English rule.
Again: England has other facilities and
means that she could not command in 1857
for nipping a rebellion In the bud. The
Indian army numbers about 10000 men,
OF whom $4,000 are Europeans, and there
is in the country tboroughly-organized
police force Of 15S,0OO men. Communica-
ton by rail has superseded the old march
ing routes, and troops can now be moved
from point to point with the greatest
rapidity. Under these conditions it
would appear that an outbreak could
only result in brief reign OF blood
shed and terror. Led by determined, IA
natical, and popular prince, who could
arouse the religious zeal OF his followers,
it might be terrible while it lasted, but
British vengeance would be quicker,
surer, and more complete than it was
in the sepoy rebellion, and British
power would be more firmly fixed
in the end. The money interest OF
England In India alone would demand as a
safeguard against future outbreaks that alb
solute dominion be introduced where suze-
rainty now exists. The rebellion OF 1857
marked the downfall Of the last OF the
Mogul Emperors. II another rebellion
takes place 1t will probably mark the down.
fall Of the last OF the Mahommedan native
nrincps