New-York tribune., 1919-04-22
Britain Fears
NEosle11a Aid i'm
Hindu Revolt
Union of 10000, 900 Ma
Elometans i'm Far and Near
East with Malcontents
in India a Possibility
Nctc York T1.ibuns

Ncir York IribunS
European Bureau
,Copyrlght 1912 New York Tribune Jnc.)
LONDON, April 21.-Reports from
India show that conditions there are
improving, but the causes of unrest
in the Near and Far East arc so pro
Goundly important that it is worth
while to examine them more thorough
ly than they can be studied through
brief Official communiques. II is no
exaggeration 20 state that the British
are alarmed at developments in India.
although they trust the government
authorities Will be able to handle the
sporadic outbreaks in the Puniab and
the Bombay Pres idency.
What the British fear is religious
uprising in which the Mahometans
of the Near and Far East may unite
with the lIindus. The recent news
has startled them. because for the
last FIVE years tncy have heard little
from India beyond her loyalty, hor
generosity and her industrial and
commercial prosperity They have
paid little attcntior 10 the fact that
the cost of living hes Increased ire
mcndously. bearing heavily upon the
masses. large sections of whom vir-
tually are reduced to famine, and mill
ions of whom have fallen victim to
pneumonia.
Economic Conditions Alarming
Indian authorities say the economic
situation is desperately bad. They be-
licve the Rowlatt act may occasion re-
volt, although it will not be the cause
This law, which provides for drastic
puni shment of revolutionary crime and
propaganda, was drawn after an inves-
tigation lasting six months OF the
crimes of revolutionary terrorsts dur
ing the last twenty years. During the
war the censorship has been strict
under the defence of India act, which
remains in force six months after the
declaration of peace.
The Rowlatt bill, which was op-
posed unanimously by the Indians,
served to set atlamc the smouldcring
discontent The British Liberals ad-
wise its immediate withdrawal and in
PRODUCTION Of constitutional reforms
which will give the provincial govern
mcnts the feeling that they really
govern.
Thus far it is clear that economic
hardships, dissatisfaction with war re-
strictions and the desire for greater
Independence have combined to pro-
ducc acute unrest and rcbcllion In
TINS respect India is no different from
several wostcrN countries. Tho Brit.
ish may be nhlc to hanuic the situa-
Non by employing soldiers Na polcc,
10y statcsmaNshlp and by force in
moderation.
Mahomctans on Watch
There are 10,000000 Mahomctnns
in Northwestern India. who arc watch
ing closely tho developments of the
peace conference IN so far rs they af-
feet Turkey. Syria ana Mesopotamia
The Allies arc agreed that there ia
no place in Europe FOR the Turk who
murdered Armenans. committed UNI
sponknblc crimes against Christians
and melted the Indian Mahomctans
to unrest.
But tho Mahometans arc inter
cstcd, not in the political future of
Turkey, but in the fate of the Khalif
of Islam. With Mesopotamia going to
Britain. and with Syria and Palestine
under the mandates OF Christian ma
tions. the Mahometans will secthe
with bitterness. The Hindus, actuatcd
by other motives, have shown a rcadi-
ness to unite with the Mahometans
This is the chief cause Of British
alarm
DisaTection in India is never wholly
political nor wholly religious But this
time there is danger that the re-
ligious factor will dominate The Is
lamic world is in a state Of uphcaval