Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-10-12

PLANS FOR INDIA

| ASSOCIATED Press Correspondent
London, Sept. 21-Plans formula ted
by the British government for grant
ing a larger measure of self-goVCrn-
ment to the people of India were ~
planned TO The Associated Press cor
respondent today by Edwin S. Mon
tagu, Secretary Of State for India. Mr.
Montagu. who is soon to start for In
| dia said
MY journey to India is the direct
rouncement in Parliament that it's
policy in India is to develop self-gov-
erning institutions with a view to the
progressive realization of representa-
tive government
do not misunderstood me. This
| ideal Of ours must be approached by
easy stages. The man who thinks
that home rule for India IS a practi-
cal policy is either wholly ignorant
Of the situation or designedly mischie-
vous. Steps toward responsible gov
eminent will be taken at different
rates by different parts Of India. Great
provinces will At themselves for it at
different times. But the great thing
is that we are going ahead firmly
on the path toward the end which
we all, British and Indian alike, de-
sire.
The measures that We adopt must
be adequate. They must show real
progress. Wars vast uphea val has
stirred all peoples. not only in Ruee
STA, not only in Western Europe.
but in China and India as well Every
body wants to be assured that the
world, their own little world. as well
as the big world, is a better world
after the war. india. equally with
the rest Of the world, has a right
to demand progress, and real prog
ress.
80 we are adopting the direct ani
buainess-like method and I'm gong
to India to consult with the people
there and bring back the results of my
conferences and inquiries to be put
before Parliament as the basis for
law which shall mean progress in its
widest and best sense
1--WE have set ourselves avowedlv
TO the enormous task Of Improving
the conditions and life Of the reoria
to guarding them against famine and
against wars external and internal
so that they might live and learn and
develop their great resources unhin,-
cred and IN peace.
Zone Of the most striking evidences
OF our work in India is found in our
irrigation enterprises, which are even
vaster than the greatest of vour own
enormous irrigation exploits and
hich have reclaimed literally thouS,
ends Of square miles OF desert. But
II is still a country of poverty. The
majority Of the people live on a few
rupees a month, and It takes three
rupees to make an American dollar
Their country has vast resources
awaiting development. but the people
are still very poor. Only about ten
per cent Of the population can read
and write
"India's greatest terror, the spectre
Of famine has practically disappeared
ewing to irrigation and the develop
ment Of transport, by railway, canal
and river. A season of famine. which
a generation ago meant hundreds Of
thousands Of deaths, now means oniv
discomfort and strain. AS we have
conquered famine, so we shall sur
mount the educational difficulties.
Electoral bodies have sprung IN
and there are in most provinces TODAY
Councils which have power tn pass
resolutions and act in an advisory
capacity. although they have little re.
spcnsibility or real power The mem
bars ~ fhA1a legislative units have