The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-03-05
NDIA LOYAL TO THE END, ASSERT AUSTEN
British Secretary of State Says the Natives Are Wei
Informed on the Causes of the War and Dread
Colonial Rule by Germany
Germany

out Of the total indian population Of
doubted that this influence has en-
tended into British india, with its
population Of two hundred and forty
millions? do not mean that II was
needed, but I do mean that 1t must
have been felt.
"In British India We take 1t as n
matter Of ourse that the great war
has thrown things somewhat out OF
balance. What country was not af-
fected by the outbreak OF war on such
a scale? But India has borne the test
as well as any Of them.
Reports Of riots were absolutely
without foundation in fact. but there
was at first some withdrawal Of money
from savings banks and other evil
dences Of an unsettled state Of the
public mind. principally taking the
form Of extraordinary rumors.
Some of these seem more amusing
than otherwise N VIC contemplate
| them from this distance. but they had
a most disquieting effect. One Of
them was to the effect that King
George and Queen Mary had been
seized by the crew OF a German Yep
pelin. thrust as prisoners aboard the
aircraft and safely borne away to
Germany. Others were to the effect
that German warships Of great de-
structive power had penetrated as far
up the Ganges as Agra and Debit.
eight hundred miles from the sea. al
though the river is so shallow that no
motor boat could make the journey
, ithout being observed.
I'm the early months Of the war the
mass Of the Indian people had the
ynguest ideas az 4 what was happen
ing. They were aware that troops
were being hurried of beyond seas.
that the British raj was In peril. that
money lenders and produce dealers re-
fused to deal or make prices. that
money vas scarce and was being
boarded.
They we're fed for a while on fan
tastic tales Of enemies who fought
Under the sea or descended from the
clouds. and who destroyed ships and
cities by lightning. At flrst there was
everywhere a good deal Of alarm. The
dread OF the unknown was aggra-
waited by various economic troubles.
such as the high prices Of wheat and
other food grains. and the absence Of
buyers Of jute and cotton. In the
more civilized and developed districts
confidence now has returned and the
character OF the struggle into which
the British Empire has entered is
better understood
"A good deal about II has been
learned from the tales OF returning
wounded soldiers and from letters
from the front. The war news which
the Indian Government daily distrib-
utss through the post office has also
had a grea: effect both In maintaining
popular interest and sympathy and In
conveying instructions. In the United
Provinces for instance British ONT
GERS moving about in villages remote
from railways and t%elegraphs have
been surprised al the Information
about the war which unlettered peas.
ants now possess and at their appre.
citation OF the conditions under which
IL is waged.
in India as elsewhere time was re-
CURED for m TO adjust itself
and at first the disturbance was ac.
centua,ed by the raids Of the Linden
n the few shells which she threw
ashore Presently. however, the
knowledge became general that all the
wild tales were false. The Emden met
! her inevitable fate and India set to