, 1908-07-22

ish Raj the detestation of the contemplate
brutality. What we, the Government of
India, have had TO c. nsider is the nature
of these crimes, the influence which origina-
ted them and the best means for projecting the
population with whose safety we are charged
against the preparation OF similar outrages.
We all low least every one who watch
es the daily story Of Indian political life
kuows-tbat the lines of Indian thought arc
changing, that embryo ~patieaal aspirations
are beginning to take shape, and it will be
a>bad day for the British Raj and q bad day
for the people of this country if we ever al
low the belief to spread that doctrines of
murderous anarchy are even indirectly asso-
ciated with the growth of those ambitions
which British education has done SO much
to encourage. Nothing to my mind has been
more unfortunate and despicsble than the
READINGS with which in certain quarters en-
deavours have been heedlessly made to
further the belief hat assassination is mere.
~ an effort of a down-trodden people strug-
Cling to free itself from a foreign oppressor.
The conspiracy with which we have to deal
represents nothing of the sort. To the best
Of my belief, it has largely emanated from
sources beyond the confines of India. It's
anarchiGal aims and the outrageous doctrines
/ luCuICdG6S III 0nG1EIy Now W UnAS OOudCAy ,
but unfortunately, the seeds of its wicked
ness have been sown amongst q strangely
impressionable and initiative people, seeds
that have been daily nurtured by a system of
seditious writing and seditious speaking of
unparalleled virulence, vociferating to be-
guiled youth that outrage is evidence of
patriotism and it's reward q martyrs crown.
It is quite possible that our Bills may not
be strong enough. In this case we shall not
fail to amend them, but the Newspapers Bill
in no way takes the place of a general Press
Act, and in no way ties our hands as to the
future introduction of such an Act. In my
opinion a further general control of the Press
in India is imperatively necessary. | believe
IL would be welcomed by the best Indian
newspapers. The Indian Nation and the
Indian Mirror have reviewed the present
crisis III a tone which would do credit to the
Press of any country. They have recognized
the evil of unbridled journalistic freedom
under Indian conditions, which are entirely
different from those existing at home, where
public opinion, based on the teachings of
centuries of constitutional government,
would be even ready to refuse or to fidicule
such unwholesome vapourings as are daily
furnished to the people. India is not ripe fol-
complete freedom of the Press aud
it is unfair to her people that for
daily information, such as 1t ls, they
should be dependent upon INSCRIPTIONS
caterers Of literary poison. We are called
upon to regulate its sale. No exaggerated
respect for the principles Of English freedom
Totally u~nadapted to Indian surroundings
can justify US In allowing such poison to
work it's will. By some irony of fac the
outrages for which that poison is already 50
largely answerable have been sprung upon US
almost upon the eve OF the introduction OF
Constitutional changes.
I am determined that no anarchical crime
will for an instant deter me from endeavour-
ing to meet, as best I can, the political aspi-
ratioDs of honest reformers, aud l ask the
people of India and all who have the future
welfare of this country at heart to unite III
support of law and order and to join In our
common effort to eradicate cowardly oonsplr-
acy from our midst.