The White Pine news. [volume] (Treasure City, Nev.) 1868-1906, 1897-12-25
SITUATION In INDIA.
GEM IN BRiTAlN'S GROWN
SEEMS ABOUT TO FALL
The Native Tribes in India Become
Reative and Demand Raforms in the
system of Their Government -
General RobelliOn Possible.
The Indian Umpire

The Indian EN- ire.
That upon British dominions the sun
never sets Is the proud boast of Eng
llshmen throughout the world to-day.
1t is true. The greatness of the British
empire Is an assured fact which no n
dares to question. Her romantic his
tory, her wide range of literature, her
extensive commerce, her broad domin-
ions and her mighty fleets all combine
to give to her a place which Is first and
foremost among the nations Of the
earth.
She numbers among her subjects not
only millions who are the descendants
Of the old Teutonic races, but also
many millions more who have come
down from the more ancient Aryan
families. From 1901, when the lands
of the thistle, the shamrock and the
rose were federated into one kingdom,
Brltain's policy has been one of ag-
grandizement. Since that time she has
subdued by force Of arms many
wealthy territories and gotten to her.
self many Of the richest Of the islands
of the sea. But of all her gains there
Is none that Is so great, none so highly
remunerative, as has been the Indian
empire.
The rise and progress Of this coun
try under British rule Is a subject
which is intensely interesting because
Of the great interests that have been
associated with 1t. Long years ago 1t
was well understood that India was a
country concerning the wealth of
which the half had not been told. The
treasures of the east became n0ised
throughout the civilized countries of
Europe, and soon India began to
swarm with fortune-seekers from al
most every European land. There
were contingencies from Prussia, from
Spain, from Portugal, from France and
from England. Each sought to gain
possession of as much territory as pos
sible, and In the wild rush for posses
sion and power 1t will easily be seen
that trouble must soon arise. At this
time France and England were each
striving for supremacy in the world,
and as their antagonism was strong at
home, it was eve more bitter among
the colonies in the east. For many
years the strife between English and
French in India went on with varying
success. In 17O8 England had rele-
gated to a company Of merchants the
sole right to engage In commerce In
India. Later the charter Of this COM
pany was cancelled and from this time
forward their functions were purely of
q political character. Under this sys-
tenn Of government Warren Hastings
was the first governOr-general of India.
Succeeding him came a long list Of gov
errors who each in his turn sought to
squelch the power Of ambitious France.
The history Of these times is merely
the history of the conflicts which were
continually going on between the
French and English factions in the
country. Massacre followed assacre,
and residence in the country became
most hazardous. After years of strife
and unrest, the forces of both opposing
parties organized for a decisive con-
test.
On the 23d of June, 1857, on the field
of Plassey was decided the great strife
IOE SUPREMACY " JCdLo hao
harassed the land. Here a small army
under Robert, afterwards Lord, Give
defeated and put to utter rout the
whole French army. For a number of
years England enjoyed the fruits of
her victory, c%onquering and annexing
province after province Of that rich
country, until, In 1867, the native
princes became furious at this whole
sale ACKNOWLEDGMENT, and by an in
genious device succeeded in melting the
whole Of the Sepoy forces to revolt
upon the English leaders. The Sepoys
began to massacre the English resi-
dents mercilessly. Women and chill
dren were heartlessly put to death and
it was not until after many thousands
had beer slaughtered that the uprising
was put down.
Peace being restored for a time the
country soon began to recover from the
effects of its recent calamity, and no
sooner did 1t do SO than the old policy
of encroachment was resumed. Orig
inally the natives Of India were sup
posed to be timid and peaceful. And 1t
is true they obeyed their masters well
for nearly a century. They placidly
saw the British secure the greatest
power, and gradually extend 1t north
ward from Bombay until it reached the
hill countries Of the north, and sought
to envelop Afghanistan. Then fol-
lowed an outbreak which cost England
much blood and treasure to subdue.
But again the work goes ON. Paid
agents Of the British Government are
persistently pushing forward Eng
lands claims and what Is more irri-
tating the cost Of opening up and ex-
ploring the new district Is being borne
by the millions who are being dispos-
sessed Of their lands. The higher peo-
pie of India have asked and even
begged that some reform should be in
troduced into the system Of govern
ment. The English people have been
warned that their rule in India was
nearing an end IL some changes were
not speedily wrought. But both plead
ings and warnings have been disre-
garded.
. sh~ a-nahw ANouaaE.a