Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1917-03-07
IBy Associated prsssI

more marked eNlGenGe OF the SpHJ u
i progress which is sweeping India can
! be found than in some of the states
that are ruled by the Indian Princes
under the protection OF the British
government. One of the most pro-
, nounced examples of advancement is
! Bikaner. which ranks among the high
| est of the mere than 700 Indian states.
and whose ruler. the Mahardsah OF
Bikaner, a descendant Of the famous
fighting race Of Rathore Rajputs, is
| held to be one of the most cultured,
broad-minded and progressive princes
of the Indian Empire. II has been the
privilege Of correspondent of the
Associated Press to spend some time
in Bikaner and to talk on numerous
occasions with the Maharajah con-
corning the policy which has revolu-
tionized affairs throughout this state.
Learns Western Ways
The Maharajah belongs to the new
order of Indian rulers who have been
schooled in the learning of the West
and who have accepted the tenet that
the stability of government depends
upon the enlightenment, prosperity
and happiness of its people. When he
took over the control of Bikaner Is
years ago-he was then lS-he imme-
diately set about to put into practise
the advanced ideas which he had &C.
quired and today railways, modern
schools, an up-to-date hospital, model
prison, electric lighting, sanitary i'm
provements, water supply systems,
and beautiful public buildings furnish
visible demonstrations of progress,
while he has established representa-
tive assembly and put his administra-
tion on a business basis that has re-
suited in the state income being near
ly trebled g..
In personal appearance, in bearing
and in accomplishments His Highness
impresses one as having just stepped
out Of an Arabian Nights tale in which
he has played the part of the gallant
prince, so typical is he Of what one
has been leo to expect in story OF
that sort Tall, broad-shouldered,
handsome, ever affable, yet maintain
ing a dignity which brooks no over.
familiarity, of magnetic personality, a
born soldier, an excellent horseman, a
ohOJ anu hCCn HPOt 90 tAO
trophies of big game in his palace
show, an indefatigabie worker In af-
fairs of state-such Is the Maharajah
of Bikaner at the age of So. .-
People Given Voice - -.
One of the most striking innova-
tions which the Maharajah has made
in his state has been the establish
ment of the representative assembly
through which his people have a
voice in the government. 1t was a
voluntary concession On his part.
IIcame to the contfNsion,v he said,
that the greatness Ma ruler Hes In
the greatness of his people. When l
announced that I intended to estab-
fish the assembly some of my friends
begged me not to take such a step.
1T is giving away your power they
declared
The Maharajah was asked If both
he and the people were satisfied that
the change had been beneficial.
Come and ride with me and my
sons to the temple In. the city this aft.
ernoon and | think you Will get bet
ter answer than can give you verb
ally" he replied.
Sees Satisfied People
The invitation was accepted and the
correspondent accompanied the Maha-
rajah and his two young princes to
the great Hindu temple where the
ruler and his sons performed their de-
votions. During the morning the
streets had been specially watered to
lay the dust and this had given the
people warning that some member OF
the reigning family was to pass. As
the carriage with its mounted guard
proceeded through the winding ways
dense crowds gathered beside the
road and nearly every. window was
filled with eager faces. Even the
roofs were covered with those people
who hoped to get better view.
II is not an unusual thing for the
Maharajah to make. trip through
the capital, but there were the throngs
just5the same, as keen to get glimpse
as though he were a foreign prince.
And as the carriage advanced the
people broke into such cheering as the
correspondent had seldom heard be.
fore. Even tiny children took up the
cry OF Khama," salutation of res
pect and devotion, peculiar to these
parts and used only for the ruler, and
the volume swelled until it became
almost deafening. More than one of
the aged people gave the Maharajah
their blessings and invoked any trou-
bles which he. might have to come
upon themselves All the way this
wonderful demonstration was kept up.
His Highness smiling and saluting to
right and left. When point finally
was reached where he could make
himself heard he leaned forward and
said: s.a
Does it pay to do the best one can
for his people? For myself ask no
better answer than We have just been
given = = = - -