Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1917-03-07
nv A..or1at.d pressl

more marked evidence of the spirit o.
I progress which Is sweeping India can
I 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 more than 700 Indian states,
/ and whose ru;er, the Maharajah 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. 1t has been the
privilege of a correspondent of the
| Associated Press to spend some time
| in Bikaner and to talk on numerous
occasions with the Maharajah con-
cefning 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 1S-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,
an6 beautiful public buildings furnish
visible demonstrations of progress,
while he has established a representa-
tive assembly and put his administra-
ton on business basis that has re-
suited in the state income being near
ly trebled. 4, .@
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 lea to expect In story OF
that sort Tall. broad-shouldered,
handsome. ever affable, yet maintain
ing dignity which brooks no over
familiarity, of magnetic personality. a
born soldier, an excellent horseman, a
trophies OF big game in his palace
show, an indefatigable worker in af!N
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
voice in the government. 1t was a
voluntary concession on his part
II came to the conclusion" he said,
that the greatness OF ruler lies In
the greatness of his people. When II
announced that | Intended to estab-
lish the assembly some of my friends
begged me not to- take such step.
It ~ giving away yUur power they
declared Ids ~ \:
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 thel
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 i
who hoped to get a better view.
It is not an unusual thing for the
Maharajah to make trip through
the capital, but there were the throngs
Just the 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 1t 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: . ..... ..--
Does 1t pay to do the best one can
for his people? For myself ask no
better answer than we have just been
oivoy, ea,s - -rr. = =