The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1917-02-16
INDIAN SOLDIER
LEARNS MUCH OF
VALUE To FUTURE
The War Will Do Much Toward
Uplifting People of
India.

India.
Cappbellpur, India, Feb. 14.-From
Montague Butler, Deputy Commits
sioner. or Chief Officer. Of the Attock
district, whose headquarters are here
ut Csmpbellpur, The Associated Press
correspondent has received interesting
information OF the manner in which
the war In Europe may influence the
vast number OF simple agriculturists
who live in such remote districts as
this, on the frontier Of the Punjab
facing the Indus. This district is of
special importance since it has form
ed and is still forming, one Of the
main recruiting grounds for the In
dian Army. AS to what will happen
when these Indian soldiers return to
their native land, Commissioner But
Ter said:
il II think that to certain extent the
Unknown about the European will
have been dissipated. The Indian
soldier has learned that we Euro
peans have our bad men and women
Just as Indians have. But I have
never believed in the 'magnificence'
which depends on ignorance. The
knowledge Of our failings will make us
seem more human, and that is all to
the good in bringing the two races to-
gether.
.'Then the Indian soldier has been
profoundly touched by the care lavish
ed on him in hospital when wounded.
Inoticed this when going round a big
Indian hospital at a certain base in
France and in several Of the hospitals
in England, as we'll as in India. The
wounded men in the villages in this
district tell the same story. That
fact is going to bear fruit a hundred
fold long after the war with its ira
gedies is over.
"A similar impression has been
made by the activities Of the various
funds for sending out comforts to sol
.diers and followers In the field. Here
In Attock we are affiliated to the fund
controlled by Lady O''Dwyer, the wife
81 our Lieutenant Governor. Indian
gentlemen constantly bring me gifts
which are sent off by me to Lady
C,Dwyer, and are by her transmitted
to various corps and units in Mesopo-
tamia and elsewhere. This system
does good in two directions: First
Lady O'Dwyer writes a letter OF
thanks to each donor. She does not
leave it to her Secretary to present
her compliments, nor does she send a
typewritten, stereotyped document.
She writes in her own hand how pleas
I'd she is and where the gifts are go
ing. This human touch draws clo-
ser the donors. And, secondly, the
recipients in the trenches are grateful.
Soldiers on leave have told me how
touched they were not to be forgot
ten. Those who have received from
England any Of Princess Marys simple
gifts displayed them proudly on their
return and cherish them as heir1ooms.
II think, also, that we are going
to see good many indirect results OF
the great upheaval. The soldier,
who has been away from his nome
FOR two years or so, has had brought
home to him the value of being able
to read and write letters. He will
want his sons to go to school more
than he used to do. Then all who
have been to France have been amaz-
ed at the crops there. The men
spoke to me Of this in France. as well
they might. They were very happy
in France, you know, and speak high
ly 4of our French allies. I believe
we shall find an Increased readiness af-
ter the war to make up scientific ag-
The Deputy Commissioner was ask
ID what. expectations the fighting men
had formed ais to their position after
the war.
THAT again. he said, sis not an
easy question to answer. The bulk
of the men look to material dement's
in the way of grants Of land. assign
ments OF land revenue, good pensions
and the like. A good many OF them
hope that Government will be more
ready to help financially in opening
up their hopes with roads and IN
erecting schools for their children.
Most would be gratned by the crea-
ton of a territorial second line army
to be off1cered in the main by Indians.
Nearly all would resent q decision
which, rewarded only the educated
non-fiShting classes with SO called po-
1itical concessions" 49,
Mr.. Butler had no mfsgivings about
the contentment of the. people Of this
district under British rule. It they
were not contented, why did they en-
list SO freely. While this point was
being discussed, an ancient Indian
gentleman was ushered in. He was
g. Mohammedan, Pathan. He was
nearly blind, but otherwise was hale
enough. He claimed to be six score
years old. which was an exaggeration,
the Deputy Commissioner said, though
there was no question that he was well
/. over ninety. The Khan was very
voluble about the pre-British days
before 1916, when as a young man he
had been harried by the Sikhs over
the Indus into the mountains.
IT remember" he said, when we
Mohammedans could not pray in our
mosque for the Sikh persecution. In
my village there were three or four
Door wells and the country was waste.
Now there are two or three hundred
wells, and one cannot find an unculti-
waited spot anywhere. It was Nikal-
sein sahib who started the change"
He referred to the great General
John Nicholson Of Mutiny fame, who
fell in the assault of Delhi. He had
been Deputy Commissioner in the At
took section.
s'IIe was q great Sahib, was Nikal-
sein Sahib," the old man added. "He
was never at rest. have letters from
him in my home"
Mr.. Butler turned to the correspon-
dent with smile.
$50 long," he remarked dryly, "as
we have still alive in the Punjab men
~ D,.i$