The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-07-04
OUTBREAKS IN INDIA
ANTI-ENGLISH RIOTS INCITED BY
INSCRIPTIONS AGITATORS.
HindOOs Excited by Native Newspa-
pers-TrOubIe in Afehanistan-
Slaughter of Fanatics.
(Snecial Cable Lottery

LONDON, July 3.-The outburst of anti
English feeling in the native press both of
Bengal and Bombay for months past has
had the outcome which might have been ex-
pected in the outrages at Poonah and the
rioting at Chitport. There is no doubt that
the Immediate cause of the outbreak is the
energy with which the local authorities
have been stamping out the bubOnic plague
sometimes necessitating interference with
the social relations, customs and traditions
of the natives. But the disaffection would
not have become acute except for the ac-
tivity and malicious accusations of unscru-
pulous agitators who melted fanatics to
vengeance against individuals and to revolt
against the government One of these news
papers, a fair sample of the others, said l.:
The plague authorities are simply butch
ers, who torturing and harassing the
people of Poonah in the name of sanitary
science. If matters are not put right soon
the scenes of 1857 are likely to be rewit-
messed there as neither the Hindoos nor
the Mohammedans will tolerate the perse-
cution of their wives and children for any
length of time. 1t is the misfortune of the
people that the honor, religion and modesty
Of women, safe even under mogul rule,
should be violated under the enlightened
English government. We wonder why no
notice is taken of the shameful doings Of
the soldiers in Poonah. They are perhaps
secretly insugated by the government 10 do
these things in retaliation for the fortunes
once inflicted upon Europeans by the Tan
tia Topi and to punish the capital of the
Deccan for taking the lead in all public
agitations. Let US hope that the govern
ment will take heed and mend its ways,
lest disastrous consequences ensue"
Other newspapers of India openly advo-
cate armed resistance to the search parties.
Needless TO say, the charges are false.
All the search parties who volunteered for
the dangerous plague duty have been under
the strictest control and have always been
accompanied by onlcers of tried ability.
The death OF Commissioner Band who
was shot by concealed natives while leav-
ing the Governors residence on jubilee
evening, at the Tune Lieutenant Ayerst, of
the commissariat corps, was killed. has
added to the bitterness of the feeling in
Poonah.
There is reason to believe that the wave
of Mohammedan reaction is caused by the
successful and unpublished atrocities in
Armenia spreading TO the Mussumans OF
India. There is no reason to fear Tor the
empire, as the white garrison Is strong,
numbering $4,000 men, but there Is reason
To fear a succession of local outbreaks de-
manoing sanguinary repression. The situa-
ton seems to call for vigorous action and
the prompt measure of the Bombay gov
ernment IN proclaiming Poonah disatfected
and occupying the city by police force.
the cost OF which amounting TO a lac and
half of rupees for a year, Will be levied
on a certain section of the native COM
munity, meets with general approval.
Replying to-day TO a question in the
House of Commons, Lord George Hami-
ton, secretary of state for India, said the
government was fully alive TO the gravity
of the case and meant to be prompt. The
whole question of incubation of sedition
through the vernacular press Will be re-
vived.
In connection with this serious news
from India comes the disturbing Informal
ton from Afghanistan TO the effect that
the Ameer has hastily summoned all the
influential mollahs throughout the country
TO a meeting at Cabul, as he wishes to con-
suit them on important matters concerning
Islam This Is believed TO be connected
with the recent announcement that the
Sultan has sent a special envoy 10 Cabul
with instruction 10 agitate Tor a general
of Is.