The herald., 1897-08-29
BOMBAY, India, Aug. 4.-(special

BOMBAY, India, Aug. 4.-(Special
Correspondence to The Herald) The
black cloud of the plague has given place
TO the electric flashes that portend the
coming of war. Never since the days of
the Sepoy rebellion have the conditions
existed in India that are apparent today.
The British government must face that
most dreaded of conflicts, religious
war. for the native agitators have
spread the sentiment broadcast among
the populace that the English have vio-
lated their dearest customs and that the
future contains only more ruthless
treatment should British rule continue
to prevail.
The storm is not that of day nor a
month brewing, but of years prepara-
ton. The mutterings were low at first
but with the coming of the plague and
the indefatigable perseverance of the
British authorities in ferreting out hid
den cases, the murmured discomfort
broke into a roar of wrath, and the ma
tive of India, mild hammered though he
is ordinarily, almost speechless with
rage, shook his fist in the face of the
European and defied him.
1t has gone from bad to worse, until
now all across this broad land, as far as
Calcutta there is open and avowed hos
tility to the British and an expressed de-
termination 70 restore the rule of the
ancient powers of the country. While
it is true the source of the feeling is of
quite early origin, the fact remains that
the disaffection has been greatly
STRENGTHENED by the intrigue with the
natives by the ameer of Afghanistan.
A well-known authority declares that
the Rajpootana country. as well as the
Punjab, is rather inclined to favor the
British The reason for this is simple
enough. The Sikh soldiery all come
from the Punjab. They are born fight
ers, have been the flower of the native
army for many generations and were
the last to break away from the rule of
civilization during the Sepoy rebellion
The Rajpoots are very high-class ma
tives, particularly open to progressive
ideas and for that reason not nearly so
inimical to association with the whites
and to adaptation to their customs as
their countrymen who live in the south
ern portion of India. The Rajpoot is
thoroughly reliable and honest, of gem
tie disposition and high morals.
Cashmere, although an Independent
Indian state, and not directly subject to
British rule, is inclined to favor the
crown If it came to open hostilities,
the chances are that Cashmere would
give to Great Britain its moral support,
for 1t would really not be in the quarrel,
the natives of that province by no means
considering themselves British subjects !
To be sure, the ameer of Afghanistan is
a potent power in their eyes, but even
that cunning official cannot persude the
Cashmere natives that a quarrel with
the English would benefit them. Their
customs have not been disturbed and
their ancient traditions are still thor
oughly respected and lived up to.
In this section of India all through
Deccan, Gundwana and Bengal, clear to
the borders of the independent states
of Nepal and Bhotan, there Is a cry for
war and death. AS far south as where
the uttermost limits of Carnatic frown
upon distant Ceylon, the blood fever is
up. Bombay itself is in the throes of
incipient rebellion, and before the words
here written reach the eyes of the pub
lie, the fires of carnage may be lighting
the streets of the city. 1t is only short
distance from here to Poonah, where
open hostiiities began with the murder
of the British health officers and it is
safe to say that in every village between