The Washington herald., 1909-02-14

India is allowed a free hand. and per-
mitJed TO do pretty well what he likes.
Thanks &c this relative immunity from
popular criticism. il has not been always
considered necessary TO assign a states
man CT the frSt-class 20 the secretary
ship Of state for India incompetence
on the part of a home secretary, OF a
foreign secretary. Of 4 first lord OF the
admiralty, or OF a secretary OF war,
might lead 70 the overthrow OF the cabi-
net, subjected as they are TO the strict
est kind OF scrutiny. But there was 1T
tie TO be feared In this respect from any
dereliction on the part OF the secretary
Of state for India. which was more likely
to escape the notice OF Parliament and
press.
Under the circumstances Il is not as
tonishing that India should have suf-
fered. The late Lord Derby. who en-
Joyed the distinction OF having been the
first secretary OF state for India. had
qualified himself for the post by exten-
sive travel IN India But his successor,
Lord Halifax, was singulariy unfortun-
ate Lacking II tact and discretion, be
ouaTeled with every one who came into
contact with him. He publicly rebuked
the viceroy. reversed his policy. recalled
governor OF Bombay, a presidency
which has a population OF s0.00o000, ex-
acted the resignation OF q minister OF
finance at, Calcutta. and ridiculed the
pretensions Of the council Of India In
London 70 act as any check upon him.
Tne late Lord Salisbury during his first
term at the Indian Office was a most sue
cessful minister. and met with the warm
liz 4
OF support from British oficialdom
throughout India The late Lord Iddes-
leigh. though less energetic and active
vas so kindly and gcod-nstured, that he
caused no bad blood But his successor
the late Duke OF Argyll was, like Lord
Halifax, perpetgaIly interfering with the
viceroy, with the governors, and with
the official world at Calcutta, causing nc
end OF trouble.
When Lord Salisbury returned. for q
second time TO the department, bis atti-
tude had entirely changed. and his auto
cratic methods. and above al. his public
hostility toward the then viceroy, Lord
Northbrook. whose policy he reversed
brought about the resignation OF that
peer
Lord Cranbrook. Lord Kimberley. Sil
Henry Fowler. the late Duke Of DeTon-
shire as Marquis Of Harrington
and Lord Cross, we're none CT them sue
cesses as secretary Of state for India,
their ignorance OF India being IN keepine
with their determination 10 rule that
great empire without regard to the ad-
vice. views, and opinions Of the viceToy
and the great Indian officers Of state sub
ject 10 their direction.
Lord George Hamilton. on the other
hand. was a man Of great tact, always
ready 10 defer 10 those whom he rec0g-
nized possessed more knowledge about
India than himself. while Lord Middleton
as I have stated above. brought about
the recall Of the most brilliant and able
viceroy OF India In modern times, namely
Lord Curzon. by the manner IN which he
attempted 70 bully him into blind submis-
sion.
Lord Morley IS a man Of far greater
courtesy and tact, also OF inmeasurably
broader craftsmanship and Of the most
lofty ideals. but many Of the reforms &c
which he has committed himself In con-
nection with the administration Of India
are impracticable. and have not only ex-
cited the pronounced disapprovaI OF al
the principal officers OF the Indian gov
ernment, past and present, but likewise
have stirred up no end Of bitter discon-
tent among the s0.0 o0e Mosiems. who
have constituted until now the most loyal
adherents Of British rule in India It Is
because Lord Alinto finds himself unable
10 become a party to these reforms, OF
70 put them into execution, that he is
coming home, a victim, Ike Lord CErzon
ike Lord NorthbroOk, and Ike several
other able and successful viceroys. TO the
Shadow Of Whitehall.
Copyright, iea, b. the Brentwood conpsny.)