New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-10-26
Iron The Tribune Correspondent. !

London, Oct. 15.-The following is an
interview upon India's participation IN
the present war given by Earl Curzon
of Kedleston to The New York Tribune.
No one is better qualified to speak upon
the relations of India to the British
Empire than Lord Curzon. He was from
1899 to 1905 Viceroy and Governor
General of India. He is the author OF
several books on that country, and ne
has studied and understood the East IN
the light of extensive personal travel
as well as official residence.
"The desire of India to take part IN
the wars of the British Empire is by
no means a new thing, but 1T has been
expressed on the present occasion with
a spontaneity and universally that
have surprised the world and are really
the most striking tributes to the sue
cess of British rule in India.
"For instance, IN most or our cam
paigns during the last forty years IN
| Egypt, Abyssinia, Somallland, Eas!
Africa, and again in the Far East ana
in China, Indian troops have. oeen
/ largely and sometimes exclusively EN-
Moved. The most conspicuous instance
| of this was the Boxer rising IN emma
in 1900, when | sent out force OF
/ 10000 Indian troops under an English
general to assist in the relief of the
/ European legations at Picking.
incidentally, il may be mentioned
that the conduct of the German com
mander and German officers of the IN
ternational forces with which the lnd-
ians were employed on that occasion
was marked by characteristic AFRO
Pance that left an impression upon the
Indian troops which has never faded
and which may have something TO do
with their great alacrlty to take part
in the present war.
when the South African war broke
out the Indian army was equally ahX-
ious to take part, and the leading Ind
ian princes and chiefs, numbering near
Is one hundred, almost without excep-
ception placed their resources and their
personal services at the disposal of the
government.
Won Bernhardi's Mistake.
AT the same time, the keen desire
on the part of the Indian army TO
serve on that occasion was sufficient
refutation of the idea that has since
been propagated by German writers,
that India cannot be expected to take
an interest in the domestic wars OF
Great Britain, and in time OF emer-
gency might be a source OF danger
rather than of strength. These falla-
cies found a notable expression in the
Writings of Won Bernhai di, who, in his
ANALYSIS of the forces at the disposal
of Germany in war with Great BRIT
ain. relied confidently upon the Pam
Islamic movement on the one hand and
the alleged existence of q seditlonary
spirit among the native population Of
India on the other. This was to con-
stitute a position of grave danger TO
England on the outbreak of hostllitles
and would be an appreciate factor IN
the future. operating in the interest OF
Germany.
Princes with Troops.
"How mistaken these anticipations, if
anywhere entertained, have proved to
be was shown by the wonderful rally
not merely If the Indian chiefs and the
Indian army to the side of Great Brl-
tain when war was declared, but by the
enthusiasm with which the idea OF
their cooperation was received by
every class of the Indian peoples.
"A spirit of burning emulation ran
through all the ranks OF the Indian
army to be permitted TO show not
merely that they are as good fighting
men as the other forces of the crown,
but that they are worthy to take their
place in the foremost fighting line Of
the empire.
Other States Offer Aid.
an fact, a spirit Of genuine and I'M
mistakable loyalty that has in no way
been fomented or provoked by the gov,
eminent overran the country and found
expression in the speeches made by
the elected Indian members OF the VICE
rows Legislative Council. An equally
remarkable feature has been the eager
cooperation of the states and peoples
upon and beyond the Indian frontier
who, according to the theories OF Won
Bernhard, ought to have been glee-
fully seizing the opportunity 70 take
advantage of our emoarrassments ana
to invade our territories.
"If the question is put, admitting the
range and spontaneity Of this move
ment 10 what is il due, and why should
an Asiatic people rally in this amazing
manner TO the defence of government
which is often represented as alien to
them, and whose intentions and acts
the educated portion of the community
have frequently shown no reluctance
% rritieise. the answer, | think, is
fourfold, and is one which ! shall hnd
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