The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-10-18

cers while the supervision Is in the hands of the English officers.
 One of the minor problems to be dealt with in bringing the Indian army to Eu- rope is that of caste. All Indians lose caste when they cross the ocean, but they usually are able to secure it again on their return by process of purifi- cation. and no doubt this has already been arranged for with the priests. A more serious matter is that of food. The Mahomedans may not eat pork and the IJindus may not eat beef. but in other emergencies this has been overcome by calling them both ''mutton.'' Every ef- fort, of course. will be made to supply tho troops in the field with the food which their religion requires, but there must be emergencies when this will be impossible The matter of cooking is almost as important as the material it. self, but this has already been over come by the organization of the men in caste companies. Caste Is one of the most important things in Indian life. A man may not eat with or serve food to a man of lower caste. nor must his food be prepared with that intended for those of lower caste. Caste has nothing to do with rank. The Maharajah of Cooch Behar, for instance. one of the great ln- dian princes. is man of low caste. and his own servants will not serve him with food. They will place 1t on the table. but may not hand 1t to him. This is explained by the fact that cooch Be- har was conquered some centuries ago by race of low caste shepherds who supplied the ruling dynasty.
 There is likely to be much envy among the native princes of the fortunate few who have been selected to accompany the first To.oo0 troops, but it has been explained that If the war continues all will have a chance to serve. The princes selected, in addition to Sir Pertab Singh and his nephew. are princes of Patiala, Bikanir. Kashangarh. Rutam. Sachin. the heir-apparent Of Bhopal. and the brother of the Maharajah of cooch Be- lar. In addition, many of the cadets of the royal families are accompanying the troops. Among those who are not going at once the Maharajah of Mysore has placed nearly si7OO,o00 at the dis posal of the government for the expense of the war. the Maharajah of Gwalior has fitted out hospital ship and the Begun of Bhopal has offered all the hordes in her state. The Maharajah of Rewa, who telegraphed Tor orders mas offered not only his troops and himself but his whole treasury and all his pri- vate jewels. This record of loyalty Is nc new thing with some of the princes The Maharajah Of Patiala, who Is com ing to fight in Europe for the Emperor. is the grandson of the man who did as much as anyone to save India for the empire In 1887, when the whole of In- dia apparently was in revolt and the Sikhs were wavering, he rode with only one attendant to the nearest British post and placed all his resources at the serv- Ice of Britain. The lesser princes fol- lowed his example and the Sikhs resumed their duty
 Only one possible objection has been urged against the use of the Indian troops and that is the danger of matching them on equal terms with white man. India understands perfectly, however, that there are castes among white men as well as sinong Indians and that white men who break treaties and outrage women and children are of different class from those by whose side they are fighting. 1n- dia's view is well expressed in some verses by R F. Vernede. published In the London Times, which conclude as follows: