Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-04-24
Methodist Pastors
Continued from Page one)
r of the conference died during the
ar.
Pittsburg Bishop
at Auburn Conference
Of Maine MethOdiSts

Auburn, Me-, April lo.-blSNOp ran
els j. Mcconnell, Pittsburgh, Penn,
presided at the Maine Conference Of
the Methodist Episcopal church, in
session here yesterday.
II am asked whether / think a
revolution in India is pending" said
Bishop Smith, missionary from India,
who has just recently returned, at the
annual conference here last night.
''FranklyI do not think so, believe
that there will be more or less sporadic
trouble such as is going on in Malibar,
Calcutta and Cochin between 100 and
$50 miles from New York headquar-
tcrs in India at the present time. /
do not believe. however that this
sporadic trouble will reach the pro-
portions of a general confiagration.
II base my judgment upon several
things.
First of all upon the way I myself
have been treated. even IN remote dis
tricts. I have suffered no inconven-
fence and have experienced no OPPOSE
ton of discourteous sort.
"My experience is the usual expert
cnce of the average traveller. AS a
rule, travelling in India today is not
more unsafe than it has been in the
past, and as fact. thefts by violence
are more common in America than in
India.
I'm the second place the general po-
litical situation in India is not such as
to promise revolution at present.
-Four things suggest themselves to
me as indications against affairs TAX
ing such violent course.
l. Ghandis movement is definitely
a non-violent movement. l have
real admiration for Ghandi's sincerity
as a man, even though | cannot APP
prove of his actions and methods. L
believe he is fully committed person
, ally to the maintenance of the non
violent character Of the movement. His
influence in India is simply beyond
computation. lie is easily the most
influential figure in India today.
2. Second, it is doubtful whether
the present union of 100000 900 Mo-
hammedans, and 100000 Of Hindus
can be maintained. They are bitter
hereditary enemies. The Mohamme-
dams conquered India and their oppres-
sions and the bitter religious feelings
between them and the Hindus seem to
make the union which Mr.. Ghandi has
achieved in the present movement of
prevarous character.
THE fact that the Toplahs in
Malibar are killing Hindus as well as
Christian and Europeans is an indi-
cation of the weakness of their pres
ent relationship. They are even fay
ing Hindus alive as reprisals for aid
given to British forces.
mo disagree ment of these two
great bodies Of India would do much
to maintain the status quo.
3. The British government has
provided sincere and generous
form of home rule, which is. in my
Judgment, the maximum for which
India is prepared today and has said
that self government. would be given
beyond the present plan as rapidly
as possible.
THE legislative councils which
have been organized under this plan
held their first meetings this year
and conducted their business with
dignity and promise of helpful CO
operation. / believe that substan-
tial proportion of Indian political
thought In distinctly moderate and Is
quite ready to work out the reforms
in friendly feeling to Great, Britain.
THE fourth element which makes
for stability and for the gradual
working out of the reforms granted
by England is the attitude of the ma
tive states
1.-THE native states so-cal'ed be
cause they are under the rule OF In
dian princes and are semi-independ-
ent and often almost entirely indie
dendent, cover more than one third
of India.
"These states forbid that charac-
teristia-frcedo Of discussion and
agitation which is found in the prov
incc under British control.
"Thoy are almost universally in
favor OF the preservation of the sta
tus age
Sometimes this attitude Is the re-
suit OF self-intercst, sometimes It is
the outgrowth OF real friendship for
England. But the undisputed fact is
that the strongly conservative atti-
tude of the native states will make