Evening star., 1939-10-27
Great Brituin's Record
In India Is Defended
Cites Benefits Accruinq to
Natives From English
Innovations

To the Editor Of The Star:
Some have been perhaps unduly irri-
tated by commentators who claim Brit
ish ancestry, but present Russian or
Irish complex. From my own back
ground of American citizenship ven-
ture to write from personal knowledge
and experience the facts regarding Brit
ain and her colonies.
AS an American, I am told to be neu-
trail, and propose to obey my country's
laws while hold to my mental freedom
accordance with facts and with right
principles. I claim as an individual
privileges and rights accorded to Brow
der, Bridges and Kuhn and their fol-
lowers. They advance revolutionary tao
tics. hold to our present democracy,
with added justification in the light of
events in Europe and Asia.
May I speak in general terms and
also regarding certain typical personali-
ties with whom came in contact, 1881
to 1887, again in 1913 to 1914, and last
year, 1878, when I paid short visit
to India. I went first as an "ambassa-
dor" of Christ to work among the women
and children in South India. There
many races and tribes with diverse Ian
guages and religions dwelt in peace un-
der British-Indian rule
In 1913 went again as a representa-
tive of the International Council, a re-
ligious, nonpolitical league, under Dr.
John r. Mott, great Christian, Ameri-
can statesman. They even appointed a
woman on the council, and I had the
honor of serving II years and attending
sessions in America, Britain and Hol-
land, where DR.. Motifs spirit opened the
doors OF hospitality even of royalty. The
Queen of Holland was most gracious in
her greeting at Apeldoorn. From Hol-
land I went to India to encourage the
effort for building Women's Christian coll
leges for girls who were prepared bv
mission schools to enter Hindus and
Moslems did not educate girls. Then,
on to China and Japan, where the same
appeal was met.
The policy of Britain in India as I
saw 1t was to improve education and
economic conditions and to protect her
interests as well. My friendship with
certain British officials led me to appre-
clate their difficult task and their re-
markable ability and fair dealing. Such
men as Sir Charles Bernard, Governor
of Burma: Col. Luxmoore and Sir Freder-
lex Nicholson of Madras illustrate the
type which helped to rebuild India.
Deeply sympathetic with the people and
their needs, capable of furnishing rene
dies which included practical production
on the land OF depressed groups, they
have been followed by equally capable
men who have encouraged industries
TO elaborate, may give some accom-
pllshments of one Of these men, the one
I knew best in Madras, responsible for
improved conditions throughout India!
Sir Frederick Nicholson, an Oxford man.
went to India under the civil service 10
or IL years after the mutiny. While in
terested in helpful education through
schools. from village to university Sir
Frederick was practical in developing re-
sources. In addition to the vast irrigat-
ing plans, including the greatest reser-
volrs in the world, which have made
gardens from deserts, he noted other
local assets in his district Of Salem. He
found there variety of clay of value in
making pottery of high grade. With his
cooperation, the people there developed
this and became prosperous as their pot
terry found wide market
Later, on the viceroy's staff, Sir Fred
erlck saw the need of development of
agricultural banks adapted to needs of
people Of rural districts, which claim
80 per cent of 1ndias population. So
there came modern financial system
which Secretary Wallace might do well
to study.
Sir Frederick had seen possibilities for
development of fisheries along Indian
coasts and had traversed the world
studying methods suited to the tropics.
strangely, he found in Gloucester, Mass,
what he needed in the methods of build
ing boats where fish could be cured at
low cost. After six weeks with us in
Beverly and visits to other centers, he
returned to India and began his plan
Tor fisheries. 1t was his last great public
service, for he was soon to retire. He
passed away, 80 years of age, four years
ago. AS visited Lady Nicholson last
year in her home in the hills where Sir
Frederick died, learned more of the
value of this development. Millions of
dollars from sardine fisheries alone on
the southeast coast have been added to
the incomes of the people.
More than so years ago in India. Great
Britain watched the Khyber Pass where
Afghan hordes would make a pathway
for Russia to enter. While even then
some Indians complained of British rule,
the very hint of Russian invasion struck
terror to their souls.
We shall not enter into the war in
Europe by sending our boys; that is not
our part, but surely the people of the
United States are not with dictators who
are attacking freedom and faith and
who will not be stopped without the
cooperation and understanding of all
democratic countries.
Britain has made mistakes and has
learned from them which we sometimes
fail to do. AS she endeavors with
France to atone for Munich, shall we aid
with our understanding, sympathy and q
fair deal, or shall we follow the propa-
gandists who through fear, or disloyalty
to our own best interests, preach loyalty
to forces that threaten all democracy,
ix,a1