Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-08
IS RIDING ROUGH SH0D
Attacks Made Against Lord
Kitchener in India.


CALCUTTA. May s.-A series of attacks
has recently been made upon Lord Ktche-
ners administration in India. the sum ana
substance of the attacks referred to Is that
ord Kitchener Is riding roughshod over
native susceptibilities and religious preJu-
dires and so estranging the native army
II Is claimed on behalf Of the commander
in-chief that while re may not possess the
charm OF manner which endeared Loru
Roberts 10 privates and sepoys alike, he Is
nevertheless trusted implicitly by both
English and native troops In India feof-
sanization OF the army has undoubtedly
created difficulties, but everywhere IL Is
recognized that Lord kitchener's efforts are
In the interest OF efficiency and mooihts'
Contrary to widely circulated Statements
recruiting difficulties. II is asserted oy al
mirers of Lord Kitchener. are practically
non-existent.
But the controversy il raging nefcey
from one end OF the country to the other-
Lord Kitchener's critics have not been con-
tent 10 reterate without any fresh attempt
90 Justify the well-worn allegation thdt re-
cent charges have tended to strengthen the
military as against the civil power. inc
commander-in-c chief Is pictured as grasping
eagerly at military autocracy IT is also
insinusted that Lord Kitchener personal
bearing toward native officers Is deficient IN
courtesy ana hacking IN the Split VI 5o""
Fellowship. But the friends of the com
rnandef-in- are pointing with prlde TO
the fact that at the maneuVers at RaWsi
Pindi Lord Kitchener constantly visited the
various brigade camps and manifested an
Iwense personal interest In every section
snd branch at his command
Apprehension of Charges.
II is also asserted that an impression ex-
lists that the comma nder-in chief regards
h. nd traditions OF the
native regiments with irnpatience, and that
various suggestions emanating from head
quarters have tended TO arouse apprehen-
sions Of far-reaching changes in army or
gauiZation.
One Of Lord Kitchener's soldier admirers
calls attention To the tact that il is always
surmlses and differences and insinuationS as
10 what may happen in the future that are
dealt with by the opponents of the com
mander- chief. not the things accom-
plished by the man himself The fact that
there Is a scarcity of recruits is explained
on the ground that there are certain dis
triCts where the increase of agricultural
prosperity enables the tiller of the ground
TO earn larger profits than in former years
when the regular pay OF the soldier was
wont 10 offer a greater attraction than the
slender and uncertain pttauce derivable
from The soil. And, It is argued, II from
this same cause soldiers are less willing to
re-engage, there is at least the counter
advantage of the greater prosperity of the
Indian empire.
II is brought as a charge against Lord
Kitchener that his policy of forming fresh
camps OF exercise and OF multiplying train
ing mancuyerS shows an unfeeling disre-
gard Of the native soldier. for whom these
things mean q severe drain on his pay in
making good the extra wear and tear of his
uniform and equipment. Even the critic
himself does not venture to deny that the
more strenuous training is necessary TO
keep the Indian army efficient according to
modern standards. The fact is that Lord
Kitchener is most anxious that the govern
ment should sanction some measure by
which the native soldier may be reimbursed
his additional expenditure. That this OBJ
ject was not carried out long ago is largely
due to the delay in settling the main ques-
ton of army administration.
Ready Made Views From England.
Criticism has been leveled at the COM
mander-lu-chief for certain observations he
is stated to have made as far back as the
coronation durbar Of 1909. The accusation
Is that. being devoid of Indian experience.
Lord Kitchener brought his views of army
reform ready made with him from Eng
land On behalf of Lord Kitchener, it is
claimed that there are certain great funda-
mental principles which underlie all mill
tary efficiency, whatever be the special Cir
cumstance OF time and place. 1t is
serted that IL needed no special Indian ex-
pertenCe To justify Lord Kitchener In de-
Ctdf1HB tndt the army should be. not a
means OF pleasant recreation for those who
have made soldering a profession but an
efficient machine equipped at all points
that it should be prepared not for the mere
routine of peace hut for the more serious
business Of war
This will give some idea OF the contro-
versy which has been raging during the
past few days-a controversy which re-
minds one Of the palrny times of Lord Cur
ZOn, SO far II must be admitted that the
partIsans OF the cOmmander-in-chief have
shade the better OF the controversy.
Tho question Of the partition Of Bengal is
a matter which Stil plaques the civil gov
eminent Of India more by far even than
the critics plague the military government
of Lord Kitchener And now it Is being
shown that what has happened after all the
talk and all OF the boycotts of English
made goods by the natives is really not a
partition at all-that partition means the
extinction OF a nationality and the forciDle
division or Us territory among neighbOring
powers.
Administrative Readjustment.
What has happened in Bengal it is claim
ed is merely an administrative readtust-
ment Bengal is a province containing
about lJpo 90 square miles Of territory and
population or about $4,000 To govern
such an area and such population under
the most favorable circumstances is a diff
ncUit task In the case OF Bengal 1t was
rendered more difficult by want OF homo
Beueity in the population and by a conflict
OF interests between different portions of
the province. In that portion now known
as eastern Bengal and Assam and contain
ing 2jO0J0o0 OF human beings two-thirds
of the population are Mahommedans by re-
hglon, although by blood just as good Ben
gals as the rest.
- In the other portion Of the province and
in Calcutta. which is It's capital Hndus are
in an overwhelming ma jority No one viii
be much surprised to hear that under those
OH -.
Bengal have scarcely obtained null equality
of opportunity. and that the Hindu popu-
lation has suffered along with them from
the Capitalization OF all authority In Cal
cutta. One Of the chief glories OF the Brit
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