Evening star., 1929-01-01
BACKGROUND OF EVENTS
BY PAUL Y. COLLINS.

| her male population capable of reading
| or writing even their names, and l per
| cent of her women who are in the least
| degree literate-a total average of 6 per
cent. Consequently, a grant Of gen.
eral franchise is impossible. The 1llit-
crates, and even 80 per cent of the lit
crates, would know nothing OF what
| they were to vote upon, but would be
controlled wholly by religious fanaticiSm
and race prejudice.
This second period included the effort
made in 1888 with the charter act,
which organized the provinces. consoll-
dated the legislative powers Of the Brit
ish-Indian government efficiently and
progressively, with the aim of impress
ing British ideals of law, education,
sanitation and administrative methods
upon the natives. 1t was a tremendous
undertaking, as characterized by Ma
caulay. The second period" spanned
from 1888 to 1880. ss@ss
The third stage of administration be-
gan in 1880, under Lord Ripon's vice
ROYALTY and under the influence of
Prime Minister Gladstone's liberalism.
This tendency toward greater home
rule was stimulated by British recogni-
ton of the aid of Indian troops in
fighting Egypt. So the idea OF greater
freedom for India was encouraged, a
National Congress was formed there in
1885, and representative Indians were
added to the councils of the viceroy.
Each year thereafter brought increased
demands of the encouraged Indians for
further recognition, until their eductaed
Observation-Disclosures out in the open
with the doctrine that "the blessings of
HnI1ld
tree of despotism," and they cried for
independence.
X X X X
The increased unrest, where tranquil
approval had been hoped for, culmi-
mated in 1909 in a revolution. It's in
citing cause was attributed to the view
of Japan's victory over Russia. The
East had met the West and conquered;
why not repeat Japan's example2
The British remedy worked out for
that unrest was the Morley-Minto coun-
cils, taking the place of old legislative
councils which had held but few
Indian gentlemen with power to read
to each other their written speeches,
but not to vote laws. Yet all that the
Morley-Minto councils did was to per-
nit the Indian officials to interpolate
the government-to ask questions
Gated in the secrets of legislation and
administration. The Indians gradually
realized how little actual power had
been given them, with all their acqui-
escence, while they observed the greater
gains toward home rule by the agitators
IN Ireland.
Then in 1916. while the World War
imperiled the British empire, the In
dian Nationalist CHindu and the Mos
lem League-traditional enemies-met
together in council to devise means of
profiting by the war situation. The re-
suit was definite pledge from the
gradual establishment of government
of the people. by the people"-gradu-
ally, as they should demonstrate their
ability.
Out of that pledge grew the 1919 con-
stitution and out of that constitution
came, in 1927, the 10-year reopening Of
the question of greater national particir
patton in government, two years ahead
of the pledged time therefor. and now a
present eagerness for its conclusions.
** x
1t must not Se assumed that the sit
uation is so simple as 10 find all Indians
on one side and all British on the other
The Indian parties are divided. some
calling for Self-government and domin-
ion status, like that of Canada or Aus
tralia or South Africa-a status carry
ing with it not only independent home
rule, but also the right to secede from
the empire at will. Some want merely
home rule, leaving the British in charge
of foreign relations. In the midst of all
the confusion, there are grave suspicious
of activity of Soviet Russia, stirring up
dissatisfaction for the sake of weaken
ing the empire and fomenting anarchy
WHAT the 1919 constitution provided
was that, about the end of 1929, there
would be appointed commission to in
quire into the working Of the new Sys-
tenn of government, the growth Of edu-
cation and the development Of repre-
sentative institutions in British India.
and how they should be extended. This
commissions report. next year 1880,
would be the basis for parliamentary
action in London. But now the agi-
tators of the Nationalist party want all
power over India localized in India, Just
as it is in the British Dominions.
In course of lectures by Sir Court
ney Ilbert and Right Hon. Lord Weston,
at the University of London, the situa-
ton was summed up In pointing 20 the
of 81 per cent Of the people
and the necessity Of education which
will require a generation Of hard work,
before the danger of setting up an OIL
garchy in place of democracy can be
averted.
acOpyEiEhts s1s2as hx Paul w callinsA