Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-04-02

promote the construction Of railways. high
ways anu oil facilities Of communication: to
extend trade, introduce schools and me-
chanical Industries and to control the traf-
&c In arms and ammunition. The CONNER
cial and the military policies are closely
involved and In a measure one 10 entirely
dependent upon the other.
characteristics Of Baluchistan.
South of Afghanistan and the western
most territory under British control, is
Baluchistan. whose western boundary is
Persia and the Arabian sea. 1t was sfor-
merly a confederation of semi-independent,
nomadic tribes under the Khan of Kalat,
with population of about million souls,
but twenty-six years ago, after the Afghan
war of 1878, these tribes were taken under
the protection of the Indian government
and Sir Robert Sanderman, wise, tactfui
and energetic man, assisted the native
rulers to reorganize and administer their
affairs. During that period the condition
of the country has radically changed. Brit
fsh authority is now supreme the primitive
condition of the people have been greatly
improved, they have settled down almost
universally in permanent towns and vii
lagos. many of them are cultivating the soil,
producing valuable staples and improving
their condition in every respect.
The country consists largely of barren
mountains, deserts and stony plains. Its
climate is very severe The summers are
intensely hot and the winters intensely
cold The wealth of the people is chiefly
in focks and cattle. and they are now rails
ing camels. which Is profitable business.
The chief exports are wool and hides. which
are all clear gain now that the cultivation
of the fields provide sufficient wheat, barly,
millet, potatoes and other vegetables 10
supply the wants of the people. Fruits
grown in the valleys are superior to any
thing produced in other parts of Asia. The
apples and peaches of Baluchistan are ia
nous and are considered great delicacies
In the Indian market. There are supposed
to be considerable minerals in the noun
tains, although they have never been ex-
plored Iron, lead, coal, asbestos oil and
salt have been found in abundance, and
some silver.
The efforts of the government have been
to direct the attention of the people to me-
chanical industries rather than to mining,
because 1t Is important to break them OF
their nomadic tendencies and accuStom
them to permanent homes and regular en-
ployment. They resemble the Bedouins OF
Arabia in many respects and prefer TO toi-
low their fiocks and herds over the noun
tains rather than settle down In the towns.
The men are hardy, brave, honest and IN
telligent. but desperate fighters and OF
cruel disposition; the women resemble the
Chinese more than the Arabs. and are
bright, active and ingenious. The sense or
humor Is highly developed and the laws OF
hospitality are similar to those of Arabia
Although the British agent in BaluchiS-
tan has autocratic powers whenever he hnds
1t necessary to exercise them. the Khan of
kalat Is allowed to govern the country In
his own way, and to all appearances is the
independent authority. He Is given sub
stay of about $4,000 a year on his private
account from the Indian government, and
his official income averages about 5OoOOO
rupees year, which Is equivalent to about
$4,000. With this he pays the expenses
of his government and maintains body
guard Of about $50 native cavalry Only
once has the British government found 1t
necessary to interfere in an arbitrary man.
ner On that occasion Khudadad. the late
ruling khan. murdered his prime minister in
a fit of passion, and upon investigation 1t
was found that he had put to death without
trial number of innocent subjects The
Viceroy Of India permitted him to abdicate
and gave him a generous allowance. which
was much better treatment than the villain
was entitled to. His son. Mir Mahmud. who
succeeded him. turns out to be an excellent
ruler. He is intelligent. conscientious and
has the welfare of his people at heart
Possibly Lesson for Us.
1t is no simple or easy matter to govern
semi barbarous and belligerent tribes, as We
have already discovered in the Philippines,
and our government might learn much by
studying the history of British administra-
ton over here. but nations, like men, prefer
to acquire wisdom by their own experience
and not from the experience, the admonf-
more admirable reforms were ever accom-
plished than may be found in the history OF
British rule in these countries.
India has been very fortunate in having
succession of able and predetermined vice.
roys and in securing the services of hard
working body of prudent and heroic pubic
servants, whose intelligence. devotion ana
self-sacrifces make one of the proudest
chapters in English history. OF course,
many mistakes have been made and crlti-
ciSm has been frequent.
1t is always easier to point out errors than
to avoid them. and there are always people
willing to throw bricks from behind bar
riers.
But the more one studies the record of
British rule in India the more convinced he
becomes of the wisdom of the poilcy puf-
sued of the practicability OF the methods
of administration and of the lnVlgoratlnS
and wholesome influence that has been exer-
cised here.
The vast majority of the population of
India remains unchanged and unchange-
able. but wherever you go. upon whatever
subject you make inquiries, you Will find
progress and a thousand material I'M
proVements There has been an enormous
Increase of trade the creation of multi
tudes of new industries and the develop
ment of natural wealth has been remark
able. The country has been covered with
highways and railroads; the rivers have
been bridged: the most extensive frrlga-
ton works in the world have been con-
structed; schools have been established
in every town and village; hospitals
and dispensaries. asylums for the af-
fiicted have been provided: courts have
been set UP in every community, the
laws have been codified and improved
and the people everywhere throughout
the empire now enjoy ample protection
for life and property and an honest adj
minstration of Justice And it is not the
least important or remarkable part of the
story that all these reforms have been
accomplished and all these public bene-
fits have been secured without adding to
the actual burden of taxation.
If any one wants practical illustrations
of the good that has been going on in
India let him compare the present con-
dition of Calcutta or Bombay with what
il was fifty years ago, or let him look
into the development of Baluchistan or
any of the outlying territories. 1t is not
necessary to accept the printed reports
of progress. Tangible examples and Illus
trations may be found everywhere.
1t is true that the energies of the gov
eminent and its officers have been direct
ed first to render British power para
mount. This was to be expected. 1t is
the fundamental principle underlying
their success Having done this they ap-
piled an organized system of admins
tration. just and liberal, but firm, as
substitute for the tyranny of the native
rulers This was followed by public i'm
provements. which not only developed the
resources of the country. increased the
wealth of the people and improved their
conditions of life but strengthened En-