The Washington herald., 1921-09-04

49, rection throughout the Indian Empire.
1t is also curious fact that many people not
altogether unprncpled bloodthrsty but with
ideas OF liberty carried to excess entertain secret
hopes tlrat the Indian people, they say with ex-
traordinary ignorance of all the and peoples
within that continent, may liberate themselves
from British oppression" and establish "self-govern
ment."
have heard elderly little ladies jump up in En-
glish public meetings and cry out in shrill voce
when will India be liberated from British ty-
ranny?"
l have been hccklcd that way myself and have
smiled to find that India classed with Ireland as
a country demanding republican rights
Little groups writing communistic and revou-
tionary tracts secretly printed and distributed among
British working men, prophesy that the time IS near
at hand when India will throw off the British yoke
and join Russia in establishing liberty and equality.
Many of these tracts written and circulated
by young Indian students of law and medicine in
London University. who afterwards go back to India
with theoretical ideas of Western parliamentary sys-
which they propose to adopt to Indian civiiiza-
ton and with sense of irritation against English
society which treated them with i'll disguised though
unexprcssed condescenson.
Many of them become propagandists for revolt
against British rule but would not have much in.
fuence it for other forces far more power
full at work to ncc revolution among the Indian
races.
THERE is no doubt from recent information,
/ which | have personally received, that the
Russian Boshevks actively stirring up trouble
by way of Afghauistan where they have important
centers of propaganda. The Turks also trying to
excite religious feelings in their fellow Mohammedans
because of the Greek and the British operations
L Mesopotamia and Palestine.
In this way, many Oriental routes, Indian
unrest is travelling wide territories and is
ing European interests in Asia Minor.
A general uprising in the Mohammedan world
would be not only to the British En-
pirc but to all European civilization, for that which
weakens the British Empire would weaken all Eu-
rope ir her present state and anything like wide
spread insurrecton in India would be of the
most ghaSty episodes in history which have yet
seen, including that of Russia.
Now what is the chance of such uprising?
l have reliable information from friends in India
which breaks through the secrecy of the censorship
imposed on the press and the difficulty Of clegrapic
communications
Taking into account many sinister incidents and
popular riots of alarming character their reports
are on the whole reassuring. They do not under
stand the gravity of the situation which is dangerous
owing agitation everywhere, but they believe that
the loyalty of the Indian princes, the general faith
of Indian peasants in British justice and admnistra-
ton and the lack OF cooperation among the Indian
peoples of different race and religion make anything
like extensive uprising improbable.
A friend of mine holding important position in
India who is just home leave sums up the situa-
ton by saying that unrest is general but that British
prestige still rests secure foundations.
One cause Of that unrest in India, in all parts
o. the world is due to the During the 1
personal witness to the wonderful loyalty and
gaantry of the Indian princes and soldiers the
western fSpnt.
The Indian princes poured their treasures
with prodigal magnihcence in proof of their devotion