The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-01-15
NEWS FIR ON INDIA.

VIEWS FIR ON INDIA.
Annexation of Theta ProseIytisins Bish-
op-Hnnkine Confesses Failure of His
Serum midas Coal Supply- Denths
from Wild Beasts Ip sreasing.
The question OF the annexation OF Tibet is
being freely discussed in the British Indian
press. and there is = general belief that some
movement in tho direction is imminent at no
very distant date. According to a memoran-
DUN drawn up by Major L.. A. Waddell OF the
Indian army. the acquisition of Tibet is a ne
cessity created by the advance OF Russia and
the Uncertainty of the position in China. MAJOR
Woddell. who appears to have considerable
Knowledge of Tibet. describes it as a country
with great possibilities il properly developed.
Recent exploration has shown it to possess OK
tensive gold deposits practically unworked.
Other minerals are known to exist. but the
jealousy Of the Tibetans prevents necessary
exploration. This jealousy is said to be the re-
suit of Chinese instigation and intrigue. The
climate is most salubrious, and with railway
communication Tibet could be made. as
regards the southern part, fit for a
considerable European population. A line
from Darjeeling up the Torsha- Choombi
Valley to Lhasa would bring that city of the
Lamas within four days or less of Calcutta.
The continuation of the existing Burmese rail-
ways through China and a line from Assam up
the valley of the Tsanpu or Brahmaputra River
direct connection with the sea. while the west
ern portion could be made accessible by the
Cashmere. During the last years careful eX-
plorations and surveys Of the roads leading
Into Tibet from the Indian frontier have been
made. the results of which are carefully With
held from the public. but It is known that there
are passages through and over the Himalayas
ton OF the country.
There are; however. other reasons given by
mo nIlaIl wv It,t Tho - - tt- h-,,ll ~
staling Russia, whose activity in that part Of
who quite recently had a scientific mission in
Nepanl. the country OF the Ghoorkas, south OF
would also. in the opinion Of Major Waddel. pre-
vent Russia from interposinga wedge between
Ch'1 ,bs and mn India I and !ol or Rfy hands a. WIN france
Sze-chuen, A cause Of dispute with the Tibet
ans is not. it would seem, wanting; as they
treaties of 1899 and 1893 relating to trade.
and have not only refused to take, part in, de
the pillars erected by the British officials under
those treaties.
Another matter Of quite a different nature is
creating uneasy feeling among the native In
dians. DR.. Weldon. the newly, appointed Bishop
ciared Intention OF promoting the conversion OF
the Indian people to Christianity. A a public
mh mem . des 10 nHets[ re- n1 tha IN b aShion' 1 BE WHe NE aan
told the audience that when he was asked to
go to India as a Bishop. he said to the Secretary
Of State that unless he was allowed a free hand
to encourage and support Christian missions he
would not go. Subsequent statements Of his
views on the subject have increased the appre-
tensions Pleading Indians: and several OF the
Indian papers have called attention to the
peoples of India against any Interference with
their religious beliefs by Government function
pleas pieasu n"1't Of fI the q soVereiens The e sHfen5f uIT,
OF Indian taxes to Q large amount IN SUPPORT
of Christian Church establishments in India,
while not a rupee IS granted in the ease Of the
native religions. is also the subject of consider
able complaint.
In connection with the evidence given before
the Plague Commissi9n g notable feature Is
the evidence Of Prof. Haffkine. who admitted
plague by means of his serum had failed, He
said that on comparing the mortality among
those who passed through his, hands withthose
who were treated In the ordinary manner. 1t
was found that the mortality was gr"ateramong
Somepf the Indian papers, referring to the
annual Hindoo fdtes. comment with %satisfac-
manifested themselves in he relations between
the M%ussulmaEs and Hindoos. and instances
latter in the recent celebrations. The hope is
expressed that. as the re- igious preJudices that
kept the people apart IN the naft are east aside.
advantage OF the Indian people.
Some attention is being given to the mineral
resources Of India. with n view TO the bet
ter development Of the, m%etallnrgical indus
tries Of the country; EXrcriments 70 aScer-
TO be made on a Considerable scale to ascer-
tain their value for smelling PURPOSES so
HUE mas IIt ItNtIpIIHtHl III ~ lhlll'ldl re-
sources of Indie. been encouraged that it is
only within the last year or two that some 81
the best coal seams have been examined at all.
Reports Ivy DR.. George Watt. Reporter on Eco
monte Products TO the Government Of India,
show that. though Indian Goa varies much In
still most OF 1T Is lutte suitable tor ordinary
purposes. while som" from Behgdl and Contra!
India l. Of excellent quality and equal TO
some of tho best British coal. II IL believed
that the result of the researches now making
will be to direct attention to the possibilities
Of industrial enterprise which India offers
through her enormous coal supply,
The indian Government report on the loss
Of human life and cattle from the depreuhtlOnS
of wild beasts and snakcbites during 1877 CON
tains some interesting reading. The num9er
Of persons killed by Wild animals was 4;2a.,r.;
Ia lSDU. The causes OF tn:s steady increase are
not touched upon. but it Is generally attributed
to the inability Of the village RS to defend Thorn
selves. owing to the ope ration Of the laws Tor
bidding the carrying OF arms by natives. On
the other hand. the number Of pGrs9ns killed
by snakes had somewhat diminished, having
been 2O.D1O. against an average OF 2l.24l dur
ing the previous three years. The people them
selves are said to be mainly answerable for this
latter mortality as they onOt realize the necesI
sity.otremoyinR the gTowths Of prlcklyp pears ana
other plants that harbor snakes. As, however,
the prickly pear hedges are one OF the defences
against the wild beasts, there is a difficulty IN
the matter. In the number OF cattle destroyed
10y wild beasts there has been q notable dlmi-
nutiqn since 1904 9ayiPp e fallen ale fTT2bm nr - 3ns
however. an increase In the number Destroyed
1894. Burma was tho heaviest sufferer, the
losses there being more than one hall Of the
total. In Madras 80 per cent. OF The losses
were due. to, the deprsdati9ns o. tigers ana