Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-10-29
GOING HOME TO BE MARRIED.
Colonel Edgerton Speaks of the Rapid
Progress Made in India-Russia's Occu-
pancy of the Pamir Country No Cause
for English Jealousy.

Colonel Edgerton Speaks of the Rapid
Progress Made in India-Russia's Occu-
pancy of the Pamir Country No Cause
for English Jealousy.
Lieutenant Colonel Francis A. Edgerton,
G. NJ. G. X. S. l., distinguished officer in
Her Majesty's Indian army, went East last
night on his way home to England after 20
years continuous service, the major part of
which has been spent in the Northwest
Provinces, Afghanistan and Burmah.
Colonel Edgerton served as Aide-de-camp
to tie unfortunate Earl of Mayo, who was
assassinated shortly after his appointment
as Viceroy, and was a trusted adviser on
the reforms which, inaugurated by him,
have done so much to effect the consolida-
tion and pacifcation of the Indian Empire
Though bronzed and white-haired now,
the reporter found him in excellent health,
and as full of vigor and fun as he was 25
years ago when they both were for some
time attached to the same regiment. He
was then q young Lieutenant full of ambi-
tion and enthusiasm, with his career to make,
without the aid of any powerful friends.
His promotion has been rapid, and on ac-
count of his great service he has been
created Commander of the Order of st.
Michael and George, and a Knight of the
Star of India.
He gave a brief but graphic resume
of the present condition of the
country, which, especially during the
last 15 years, has made gigantic
strides in the onward march of civilization
owing largely to enforced reforms by the
native princes education, the construction
of railways, irrigation, and the placing of
natives in important positions of trust, as
administrators of the law, and of fiscal mat
ters This has greatly Injured to the benefit
of the native traders and cultivators of the
soil, who are no longer oppressed and
robbed in every way by those who formerly
farmed the taxes under the old system. Life
and property are now as secure as in anv
European country, and as a consequence
loyalty to English rule, especially among
the Hindoos and Parsees, is ardent
The large Mohammedan population is still
secretly hostile on religious grounds, but
the admission of ladies of American and
English birth into the harem as governesses
to children and companions to native Mo-
hammedan ladies is slowly but steadily do
ing much to overcome preiudices.
Speaking of the occupation of the Pamir
country by Russian troops, he said he saw
no reason for any jealousy on the part of
England, as the move was strategic one,
which would enable Russia to protect her
friendly relationship with the nomadic
tribes on her eastern frontier, who are large
consumers and distributors of Russian
products. Such an arrangement would in
cidentally benefit England, as her frontiers
would be less troubled by local incursions.
The Colonel spoke most enthusiastically
about this country so far as he has seen it
in a leisurely journey across the continent
from San Francisco. He was particularly
struck with the size and enterprise of the
newer Western cities, such as Denver, Kan
sas City, Omaha and Chicago, and the gigan-
tic proportions of Pittsburg's iron and glass
industries. On being asked if any special
reason called him to England at this time,
the white-mustached warrior blushed like
young debutante, and with twinkle in his
blue eyes, said that he was going to be mar
ried to the daughter of an old brother Off
Ger, who died in India some years ago, leav-
ing his orphan daughter in his care. The
young lady has been at school in England
for some years, but after her marriage will
return with ner husband to India.