The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-05-06

sediton in India. There is, just as there is sedtion to some degree in America or in any other country, but those who are plotting against the government are neg ligible in number, and they are no more representative of India as whole than were the New York bomb throwers three or four years ago representative of the American public. "But Germany thought for some reason or other, that we were ready to sever re- lations with Great Britain and banked on our support in the struggle. Long before the war began, Germany was busy trying to stir up sedtion in India can not prove this statement to you at this time but I know it to be true. The attempts failed and today Hindus- tan is standing Loyalty with the rest of the British empire and will continue so to stand until the last gun is fired. MUST STAND TOGETHER "In ordinary times we princes grouse and grumble among ourselves good deal-and sometimes, think, we have 1 had reason for it--but when the big crisis came it found us all rushing to tender our support to the King Emperor. That is only natural. This war has done India great deal of good. By furnishing a common platform for us to work upon it has
 drawn the princes closer together and, | them. Mind you. there never was any question of disloyalty among the princes, but they had not been given a chance like this before to show their devotion to the King.
 we worked along our own indi- vidual lines mostly. But the great | common cause has changed all this | and hope for good. The recent con ference of princes in Delhi. when 4g of us met to discuss matters pertain | ing to the welfare of our states, was
 an evidence of this change
 "The past months of war have done more to strengthen the feeling of sym pathy between the states and the gov | ernment of India than anything else could have done"
 | The correspondent referred to the l fact that at the time of the recent conference of princes in Delhi there was some talk that the couferenaG might ultimately develop into coun-
 cil of princes who should have direct voice in matters of imperial moment. i WOULD HAVE PARLIAMENT ] "Yes, there was some expression of 1 ideas along that line" said his high 1 of princes or a house of lords of some sort may be the outcome of these conferences. I think that in a few l years 1t should be possible to consti l tute an assembly of princes who may l have a hand in the adjustment of re. l lations all round. And we princes also 1 look forward to the time when British India also shall have similar as- 1 sembly under proper safeguards"
 What would happen in India, your highness. if the British government | suddenly should decide to grant abso- | lute self-rule to British India, should constitute the princes absolute sov ereigns. and should withdraw entire. ly from the country?" the correspond ent asked.
 "Who would be king?" countered tie 1 Maharajah quizzically. By that your highness means that there must be a supreme head.' l Exactly. If you should take away our British sovereign someone else would have to rule Who would 1t be?
 That Is hard to say. but 1t would be
 case of the survival of the Attest If the British were to withdraw from India altogether the country would be 1 plunged into chaos.
 "But. of course, the British govern ment will not withdraw and no one. excepting. perhaps. handful of hair brained agitators, wishes 1t to with draw. We want the British govern
 ment to stay. for it is the greatest and best government in the world. We have true devotion for our King Emperor and for his government. and all we ask Is that we may be allowed to remain
 part of the empire and do our share The query was raised as to what the effect would be on. India If the entente allies brought the war to
 successful conclusion and Constanti-
 nople was allotted to Russia, as has been suggested.
 Your question involves the matter of religious sentiment?" asked his highness.
 The correspondent replied in the af- firmative.
 such a settlement would have no ef- feet on India" said the Maharajah
 T myself am not Mohammedan, bu. I think I know the feeling of the i country. Many people in India are ex- tremely sorry that Turkey has placed herself in her present position but no one is likely to exhibit active sym. pathy for her as she is ranged against the British government and their al- lies"
 To Cure a Balkv Hnrse