The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-07-24
POLO AND THE EASTERN CUES
rEInN

In order for any real affection to exist
between people there has to be some
ground of Intellect or aims on which they
can meet. and the English in their dealings
so far with the races which they govern
IN the East have shown a singular dizziness
in graspilg the needs and desires OF an in
fer!or peopc \ very suggestive article
appeared in B.ackwood's Magazine last
year which pointed out that when Hindoo
Went I'd q British garden party and stood
around in frock coat and silk hat and
talked with the guests, he was talking
with people who neither understood nor
cared for him or his views, and on the
whole regarded him as an inferior person,
he was very properly bored. but no more
so than is the English resident when he
goes to dine with some East Indian Prince,
and after eating dishes that he does not
care for is placed upon a dais, and there
sits with a wreath Of roses around his
neck, ike some Grecian sacrificed OK,
while Nautch girls dance ali night, to the
grea. satisfaction OF the East Indian and
the intense disgust Of the Britisher-
From this state OF affairs II is clear that
tho ground on which the Britisher and the
Hindoc, or Mussuln1an, must meet IS not
tina. OF social functions Unless society
and methods Of enjoyment are pleasant to
the guest he will not come except when he
has to, or stay longer than is absolutely
necessary. But there is a point in common
and meeting ground for the two races
that has proved of the utmost help in the
past, and in its way is liable to be a pow
erful cause in solving future questions that
may arise. This IS the polo field
POLO is a game for which the English are
indebted to the East Indians, and judging
by the enormous spread of the game, not
only in Great Britain. Scotland and Ireland
but also in France and America, and for
that matter, in almost every part Of the
world where the English language is
spoken and whera horses can be bought
the British owe debt of real gratitude
to the people who have taught them this
game Nor have tha British proved them
selves dull scholars. and some of the best
games OF the season are payed in India
between native and English teams
Now, you cannot contend with man
all day in an athletic sport in which he is
your equal, or superior, and come out of
tina game with a contempt for him and his
views. You will gain conception Of his
idea OF life from the way in which he
shoots buffalo or drives tbs polo ball that
you never viii gain by reading his religious
writings, or studying what the scientists
would call his echnology. Mr.. KipHnS I'M
derstood this, and in his story, Tho Man
Who Was" ho graphically describes how
lfra Singh. who played like -ambent
flame on a native team, laid his hand upon
his sword and speaking Of Russian who
was at the British mess table, said, ION,
my brothers, when the Russians come back
we viii then be side by side, and not face
TO face, as we were this afternoon" all
of which was lost upon the Russian, but
the far seeing Mr.. Kipling has set it down
50 that the British statesman in conjuring
upon tho possibility Of holding India against
q Russian invasion, may confidently count
upon the assistance and help that ne will
receive from those natives who have met
the white foreigner in friendly combat on
tha polo fed