Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-08-27

contradictory and controversial ques-
tons coKijured I'D by rival races, hos-
tile sects, conflicting languages, the
inherent rights Of the native states and
q host Of minor issues Is the second
major hurdle TO be taken before the
goal Of 'self-government in India can
be approached.
I'm America you hear relatively little
of the immense and vital strategic con-
siderations which Britain must always
have conspicuously in mind, In any de-
termination Of midas future. The long
northwest frontier of that country, boz
dering Afghanistan, Is, 1 suppose, the
outstanding military line in the world.
Across 1t have come, through the ages,
all the forces that ever contrived to
master India where they approached 1t
by land. The northwest frontier coun-
try is inhabited by tribesmen of fierce
fighting traditions, Like the Afridis and
the Pathans. Only within the past few
weeks has there been q recurrence
around Peshawar Of the periodical raids
the British forces have been required to
meet decade after decade. There have
been as many as 70 of these raids in as
many years. Alexander, Timur and
other conquerors proved, for all time,
pouring through Khyber Pass, Is capa.
BILE of overthrowing the central powes
in India, whatever 1t is. Great Britain
cannot ignore historical facts with
reference to the northwest frontier,
when Indian independence is under
discussion.
"Since my arrival in the United
States I gather that spokesman of tho
Indian independence movement domi.
ctled In this country are fond Of citins
your own revolution against British au.
thority 154 years ago as an example of
what Mr.. Gandhi and his supporters
are trying to accomplish.
There could be no more grotesque
comparison. Your Washingtons and
Jeffersons, your Adamses and Madisons.
your HancockS and Franklins, were
leaders who epitomized an overwhelm.
ing body OF enlightened public opinion.
When they struck for independence an
embryo nation of men and women
sprang instantly to the defense of O.
cause which fired all souls with a un.
animity that was unmistakable. The
cause could not have triurnphed had
conditions been otherwise Two.
three or four millions OF people In
India--whatever the round number may
merest fragment of the nation as
whole. To contend that such a move
ment parallels the American Colonies
struggle for independence from the
British crown is, to say the least, q
mathematical ineXactitude."
X 4 X
Sir John Simon addressed an execu-
tive session Of the American Bar AS.
ISOLATION at Chicago last week on India.
Plans are under way to have him. be.
fore leaving Washington Friday, deliver
similar discourse amid such publicity
as circumstances permit. Sir John has
been urged to speak before the lawyers
OF the District of Columbia, who are
now his hosts. and, with a view to gen.
eral dissemination Of his remarks, talk.
ing into q microphone on q country.
wide hook-up. II the radio audience
Is privileged to hear Simon, it will listen
to as plausible, convincing and trans
parently sincere a British statesman a.
ever pleaded a cause, either before the
bar of justice or of public opinion.
4
did you see any gunner at work in
Chicago?" one Of the visiting British
lawyers was asked, on his arrival In
washington. well" he replied I'VE
did witness one murder. but it didn't
get into the papers. 1t was a grand
opera performance"
(Copyright, 1907