New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-05-21
INDIA ASKS SOME THING.

They came to our country as pcdlcrS, stayed
in it as robbers, and will be kicked out Of il as
lunatics." So spoke Hindu student Of the
British rule in India Yet the outside world
being much accustomed TO see affairs in India
through English pectaces exclusively, is apt
to believe that if ever a proof be needed Of Mr..
Lowels assertion that Civilization sometimes
does get forrid on power cart" it can be found
in India.
II British rule Of the second Of all nations in
population has been one Of uneNampled and I'M
mixed blessing, what means this formal appeal
for home rule in India. or something very like
it? The Congress OF 100 delegates, said to
embrace all the leading intcllccts Of the nation,
appears to have put forward certain demands
which, however moderate they may sccm on
their face are particularly we'll calculated e.
open the way for radical changes The Con
gross wants reconstruction Of the legislative
council absolute separation Of judicial from cX-
ccutive functions, competent and trained
judiciary. free admission OF natives to admins
| trativc and executive Offices election Of half
the members Of the council by the people, sub
mission Of the budget for criticism, and that
| native representatives shall have power to
question the Government II this seems not
much to ask for > so, OOO 600 people who are AT
present governed by less than 10000 English
| residents, it is at any rate more than Great
Britain can with any safety grant.
The world has heard something through Brit
ISL critics Of the financial straits Of the Indian
| Government Of its mladministratiOn, OF re
| straints which have operated to check the in
| duStrics and CocrCe the trade Of the inhabitants
| and of acts Of abuse and tyranny which, If no
| longer continued after the Chyc-IIaStings pat.
tern, are at all events such rs would be criticised
with great sharpness in any Government at all
representing the people If the minor official,
are not particularly Objectionable to the country
and diScrcditable 10 Great Britain, then the
world has been miSinformed by British ccnSors
Nor is it necessary to go beyond English books
and the testimony Of English travellers and Of
iiccrs TO reach the conclusion that the contrast
between Russian and British government il
Asia has been painfully to the disadvantage Of
the English. In srEpecting that the extensive
movement for a more liberal government is the
work Of Russian cmisSarieS in India, the British
pay unconscious tribute to the Russian methods
which would find few admirers in India, and be
utterly unable to get influence there, if the
people not far to the northward, over whon
Russian power has so recently been extended
had found it harder to bear than English rule
| in India.
| 1t is not just now a question what Russia
wants, but what reply England can make to the
wants OF British subjects in India. Their con
dition and government have unquestionably
been ameliorated within the last twenty years
/ -
Quired OF the nature and limitations Of govern
ments elsewhere prepares them to regard ever
large concessions with new eyes. 4 host o.
young men, natives Of India but educated il
| all that English or other foreign schools car