New-York tribune., 1911-11-12
on THT ROAD TO DELHI.

The going OF the King or Great brltaln
and Emperor of India to Delhi will mark
new era in Indian and also in British
history. Never before has such a thing
been done. Victoria never saw India,
and was proclaimed and crowned by
proxy. Edward visited the country as
prince but not as Emperor, and he, too
was crowned by proxy. George VISITED
India as prince, but now he returns 10
1t as Emperor, with his Empress at his
side in order that they may both be
formally crowned, in person, in the capi-
tai of the Moguls. Little more than half
century ago men on the road TO Delhi
we're mutineers seeking to expel the
hated Feringhi. Now they are f1ocking
on that same road in what Is hoped to
be spirit Of loyalty.
It is a daring experiment which rs
thus being made. 1t is the supreme ap-
neal to the Indian nations for loyalty to
the Kaiser-I-Hind. And there is need OF
an appeal. No optimist can be so buoy
ant as not TO perceive that India is
largely affected with discomfort, unrest
and even sedition. For some of those
feelings the reason can be perceived and
may be abated For some of them there
il no perceptible reason, but they exist,
ard are, perhaps, strongest Of all The
effect Of the coming imperial durbar is
therefore TO be awaited with keen in
terest. What will he the effect upon the
Indian mind Of the spectacle Of a Brit
ish monarch actually seated upon the
throne of the Mogul EmperOrs? 1t may
arouse enmity toward one who is an
alien and who may be regarded as a
usurper and an oppressor: or 1t may
more happily arouse loyal enthusiasm
for the new Indian Emperor, who is, In
fact the most powerful Emperor India
ever had.
Logically, it should not matter to the
Indians that their new Emperor is not
of native blood, for their former En-
perors were also aliens and came thither
as invaders. usurpers and oppressors.
What they desire is real Emperor, with
the splendor and the power Of an En-
perOr to appeal at once to their imagi-
nation and to their military passion. For
many of the Indian peoples worship
pageantry and pomp, and others, Of true
fighting races, worship arms and poten-
tial might in war. The logic Of the
Indian mind may not be identical with
that Of the Western mind, but it will be
strange II in some large measure this
coming OF the Emperor does not result in
an access of loyalty. The Indians Will
no longer feel that they are subjects Of
an alien whom they have never seen.
They will rejoice in being the followers
of an Emperor who has come among
them and showed them all his bravery Of
trappings and has more than restored
the old magnificence Of the imperial
throne.
On other grounds, the intensely prac-
tical grounds Of benefits to the people,
the King-Emperor surely deserves the
welcome Of the Indian tribes and ma,
tions. With all its errors British rule
in India has been immeasurably for the
good of the Indian people. without 1t
India would have pursued some such q
course as China has pursued, and would
probably to-day be in much the same
plight that China is In. The difference
between the two lands is the measure Of
British achievement, and It is sufficient
to entitle the British sovereign TO the
most grateful homage Of his Indian sub
jects.