New-York tribune., 1906-05-15
DEGREES MISSION WORK
Maharaiah Says 1t Is Useless to Try
to Concert His PeopIe.


His hishness the Maharatah. Gaekwar OF Raroaa
who arrived in this city on Sunday on the Celtic
did not have opportunity 90 study the conditions
Of America yesterday. owing 70 the inclamenr
weather He entertained newspaper reporters for
some hours in his suite tha fifth floor Of the
Waldorf-Astoria. and showed by his conversation
good idea OF institutions IN the western hsmi-
sphere. when the ordinary HindOO IS supposed 70
care little for them
OF slight stature. not more than i've feet with
swarthy complexion and heavy black mustache.
the 1Iaharajah does not show the usual American
idea OF an East Indian His conventional sarb OF
black sack suit and iewelry also took away
from the supposed charm Of Eastern potentates
with beiewelled turbans and picturesque clothes
To all appearances the GaelSwar Is as much Amer
lean as any that interviewed him.
The first greeting 70 reporters after the formal
introduction was the remark, Rather wet day
to-day"
He then told OF his disappointment at not being
able to start Immediately on his tour Of New York
but said that Norris K Jesup was arranging an
itinerary Of the main points Of interest for him
he will probably stay here week with the Maha-
rani. his wife. and then VIII go to Boston, which
city is considered by the East Indians the highest
point Of culture and learning in America The
Maharajah also expects 20 visit Washington ana
to meet President Roosevelt
i think your western institutions are what We
need In india" he said II really wouldn't mind
having republic there The people, after all
make the government. Build them up. educate
them, broaden their lives and their minds, and
the government will take care OF itself
I am especially interested in everything that has
to do with your schools he said In all kinds OF
learning. technical education is OF great importance
India is very. very slow in taking up that. am
thinking Of introducing compulsory education. We
have schools already. but the free system has not
been made very general as yet. Our universities
are modelled On the English type. and N them and
N the primary Schools i1OvSTor ne SeSch 0niT TIE
vernacular''
Referring again to his idea OF republics. he was
esSsd II ne did not have the power OF hfe ana
''Yes. have" he replied 'I practically admin.
s s1eT al the goyernmSnt myself Pass 81 my aSSa ON
authorities are like brass vessel ana an earthen
eaTthen, pot must be careful that it does not set
Asked which was the earthen Pot. he diplomati-
cally answered: The weaker power, and Oid not
The GaeEwar was asked about Indian marriages.
and said he opposed 20 children marrying. as
SAID hen he favoTed them not before twenty s own
@ 9e ,s saiq & Is IoIT{ss m SG lone ne ~ Sba m
The Maharajah then referred to the published age
Of the Maharan. which has been given at twenty
1T is not twenty-thrss; as has been published 50
Speaking OF caste distinction, he said he wished
caste distinction exists now he said ''only
In social and marriage customs poor man may
Iesder but II Re marres II must not Be into
higher caste This prejudice ard class feeling are
something you in the west cannot understand
We inherited 10 from hundreds Of generations.
Education viii help to eradicate IL. I should like
to have II abolished entirely
MY people have lived so long among them
selves that they have lost what you have gained
from contact with the great outside. They 50
ignorant that they do not know such a country as
yours exists. That's why want biographies and
other books that the schools furnish. Ny peO-
pie are keen for learning. They I'LL the schools as
| fast can build them
The MahagaJah laughed with evident merTiment
when told OF an attack the evils OF heathenism
/ in India made by a missionary at Carnegie Hall
/ on Sunday night. He did not show any resentment
| and appeared to be merely amused.
"Are the American missionaries IN India gaining
many cOnverts?' he was then asked
| mo, they not he said. We VIII adop;
anything in the way OF education that can be
given us. but the people are bound by strong bonds
to their religion The trouble Is that foreign mis-
siOnRrteS seem to think ignorant heathens
and forget that we are a people that give more
profound study 60 matters Of religion ana phIloSO
| ply than perhaps any other people.
/ II personally believe that religion Is a matter
the greatest freedom and hberality. The people
not be bothered. They will not be changed, and
| 1t Is useless to try to do So"
| During his stay in this city the Gaekwar VIII
visit most Of the leading institutions OF learning
He will 60 to Columbia University, the University
OF New York, the College Of the City OF New York,
Barnard College and the principal public schools.