New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-10-26

rule Of their country, which has now
lasted for over one hundred and fifty
years, been a rule characterized
by conscientious desire 10 do right,
to render justice, to protect the weak,
to relieve the oppressed and TO for
ward the progress Of the peoples com
rnitted to our charge on the lines of
healthy evolution. Criticise British
rule as they may. they still prefer it
a hundredfold to the yoke Of any other
European power. Inelastic as il is
sometimes said to be, its rigidity can
not be compared with the inhexible
and donineering uniformity which
would be imposed by the German sys-
TEN.
ScOrn Prussian Ideas.
1.-THE ideas of the Prussan drill ser
eeant are absolutely abhorrent to Ind
iens. They know that under our rule
there is wide scope for diversity of de-
velopment, and, above all, for freedom
Of thought and action, and they know
that the German polity is the antipC des
of this. If the Indian people have ever
contemplated or should contemplate 2
different political status for themselves
in the future, it is not one which has
ever included or which now includes
the substitution If any other European
power for Great Britain.
And, fourth, the action Of India has
been due to the increasing realization
of its peoples, arising partly from the
spread of knowledge and the influence
CT the electric telegraph and the press,
| but still more from the visits to India
and the personality of the present
King-Emperor, that they are members
of great empire, entitled as well as
eager to take part not only in its
privileges out in its burdens.
"The Indian army knows that il is as
highly trained and efficient. as well
disciplined as courageous and as hu-
name as any other portion Of the forces
CT the King. OF such actions as are
attributed to the German troops they
know themselves to be incapable. The
Indian princes know that they are the
pillars of an empire that stands more
definitely for good faith and righteous
ness than any other political organiza-
ton in the Eastern world. The Indian
people know that our Indian depend
ency is one of the greatest sources OF
reputation and strength to Great Brit
ain, and they yearn for an opportunity
TO show that in any emergency they
are not left out, but are equally per-
mitted to prove their loyalty, TO show
their mettle, to demonstrate their
power side by side with the white
skinned subjects Of the King.
Landmark for India.
Broadly speaking, these are tho rea-
sons which have led the Indian peoples
to make a demonstration that has as
tonished the world by its exhibition Of
an almost unexpected unity, and have
enabled the British government to de-
nude India of force of from sixty TO
seventy thousand Of its best fighting
troops, and 70 place them on the pri-
mary field of action in Europe.
THAT this section will have more
than an appreciate effect on the issues
of the campaign is certain. That it
constitutes a landmark i the relations
of India with Great Britain and must
/ lead to further and equally happy de
yelopments in the future, is equally
sure. For the moment We may express
our sense of satisfaction that the
labors. often unrecorded and unre-
warded, of many generations Of Eng
Hshmen in India for more than a CEN
tury have received this supreme recon-
pense and vindication. and our hope
that at no distant date a suitable OPP
portunity may be afforded to the Indian
troops of showing what they are made
of in the field"