The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-07-22

CALCUTTA, INDIA. July 22.--It is
said that Sir Charles Hardinge, the
newly appointed viceroy, comes from
England to crush the Nationalist move
ment. -
But he won't. lie may not even
try it. but if he does. .e1l faii.
India is on its way to self govern
ment and independence. and the Brit
ism can't stop it. They can only direct
the movement and prevent 1t from
running into bomb throwing. And jus
tice-loving Engiishmen don't want to
see the movement stopped.
India is destined to become great
nation, like Japan; greater, perhaps
like Japan; greater, perhaps, because
of wider territory and larger popuia-
ton. But 1t could not have become a
nation for ages-perhaps never-wfth-
out the help of the British. The Ma
tionalist movement is the logical re-
suit of British rule.
1t Is the British who are molding
a motley group of as distinct nation
alities into-junst Indians, They are
giving them the English language to
supplant the 1S5 languages and dia-
lects now spoken. They are giving
them a belief is one God to supplant
the nine main religions. and numerous
seCts. They are giving them COM
paratiVe equality OF opportunity to
take the place of the $500 castles or
classes. They have given the Indians
a feeling of solidarity by providing
means of intercommunication in the
$4,000 miles of railroad and the 200.-
600 miles OF roads they have built since
Queen Victoria issued the proclamation
annexing the empire of India, in 1858.
They have irrigated 50,000,000 acres.
where only 100000 cares were ire
gated in 1858 They have done much
to prevent and relieve famines. They
have codified the laws. They have
given them examples of European gov
eminent.
The British have abolished 'relig-
ious' obserVances such an infantiCide,
suttee (widows burning themselves
alive with the bodies of their hus-
bands). slavery punishment by tor
ture and mutilation.
Indian laws denied legal rights to
those that repudiate the religion of
their fathers; but the British repealed
these laws. The British have allow
cd general freedom of conscience. and
have not tried to force the Church of
England uron the natives
Native agitators charge that British
rule is cruel But more awful cruelty
and barbarism would run riot were 1t
not for its stern hand
The dominant Aryans, the
aborigines in the mountains, the
Dravidians in the south. the Arabs
in the west. the Scyths, Tartars aud
Moguls, are distinct races which clash
in India. The various religions and
sects are ready to leap at each others
Threats. Yet with an army of but
100000 men two-thirds OF whom are
natives, the British have kept the
100000 people from fighting each
other. in a territory of 1900 900
square miles.
The British have recently made
concessions which give the natives "a
louder voice. II not stronger arm.
lin the government. Two Indians
serve in the cabinet of Lord Morley,
secretary o state for India, which
meets in London, and which Is the
chief power in Indian government. A
native is member OF the viceroy's
executive council here: and half the
members of his legislative council are
Indians.
In the future there will be at least
one Indian in the executive council
of the governor of each province, and
ali Of the members of the provincial