The Washington times., 1903-08-30

SO Lord Curzon, that very superior
person., that smart young man made
for show rather than for use." that
worst possible qualifications for viceroy
at the present time" is to receive an
extension of his term of Office as vice.
roy of India. Five years ago. when he
went out from England. it was declared
that he would soon be known as "a
prancing proconsuI' and IAN oppressive
despot''
His training as under secretary In the
commons had not fitted him for the d.
rect government of men," he had the
wrong kind of ability and the wrong
kind of experience" He was violent
Russophobe,'' who would Immediately
get the bear by the ears. He had left
the house of commons, TO which he was
more or less suited, to play the part of
monarch in India. for which he was
eminently unsuited. His powers would
not show 10 advantage in his new posi-
ton. and the position itself would serve
as a sort of forcing bed TO his faults"
retrievably" in accepting the appoint
ment. He was a doomed man. Exit
Mr.. George Curzon."
Tide of Opinion Turns.
year later the tide of editorial opin-
ion had begun to turn. and We read that
1.-THE new viceroy of India was gaining
a good deal of credit for the tact, cour-
4 u, IL
public addresses" Faint praises, per-
haps. but soon to be followed by hear
tier expressions of appreciation. Lord
Curzon has shown himself willing to
profit by experience, and il is beginning
TO be recognized that the real clue to
his personal conundrum is a single
hearted determination to make India
better and stronger and richer than he
found IT." He was already known as
"the most autocratic and most popular
viceroy.'
IAN autocrat-that is the reputation
that Lord Curzon has made for himself
after his first year as governor general
of India. The reputation pleases US; 1t
bodies we'll for the solidarity of our east
ern empire. The Oriental loves the au-
tocrat-given a good autocrat as in the
present case. and his period of rule is
bound to be marked with high success
es." "a remarkable feature of the sit
uation is the almost unanimous praise
of the native press. Lord Curzon has
not offended the proudest native nobil-
ity."
Ominous Head-Shahng.
In the English papers of 1901 there are
still more striking evidences Of the re-
yersal of public opinion. 1T is beeom-
ing almost difficult to understand the
rather ominous head-shaking that greet
ed Lord EIgin's successor in the late
summer of 1898. Lord Curzon. the vice
roy. has been a surprising Improvement
on Mr.. Curzon, the under-secretary for
foreign affairs. Only a few years ago
we were thinking OF Lord Curzon as
sort of brilliant schoolboy. Something
of precocious immaturity seemed TO
hang around his manner in the house OF
commons. However, il seems now. az
ter two years Of experience. that LoFd
Salisbury knew his man.
ssThe viceroy of England has shown none
of the failings of the under-secretary.
He has not dealt in innovations, CT set
himself and his tourist impressions
above the advice OF the departmental
chiefs, OF antagonized Russia" Put
England was not yet united In its es-
Inmates of the governor general. A
writer IN the "Fortnightly'' declared:
There Is a tendency in clubland aud in
certain political circles to decry Lord
Curzon and belittle his work. to dub it a
sham and a glitter. and good deal of
sarcasm and not a little malice is rung
at him. The British people have a riglt
10 know the truth. The characteristics
that distinguished Lord Curzon from all
his predecessors in the East are his en-
thusIasm, his industry, and intense
earnestness Of purpose. and his personal
interest in every branch of adminIstra-
ton. He has done more in two years
and half TO win the affections OF the
people OF India and to knit them TO-
gether TO the mother country than all
his predecessors put together"
Coming in for Recognition.
Later. in 1902. we read: Lord Cur
Eon's work as viceroy is at last coming
IN for its proper share OF recognition.
Now that IL is being more closely looked
into, England IL almost taken aback ~
its magnitude and excellence. and ce-
lightedly recognizes that in the super
cilious, dogmatic secretary of 1898 were
the makings OF the ablest. most energetic
and most successful viceroy that has
yet taken charge OF the Indian en-
pire." George W. Smalley wrote:
when Lord Curzon became viceroy OF
India he ruled that imperial dependency
in the spirit of England. and not of the
East.
Then al last he could give play to MS
natural passion for justice and order
Three years ago he was. as a grea1
authority called him. splendid ex-
pertinent Today he has won a promi-
nent place among the greatest viceroys
India has ever known. They say he is
fond OF magnihcence. He ought 10 be-
To rule an Oriental people according 10
notions OF democratic simplicity is prob
ably impossible"