Evening star., 1947-02-01

Letters to The Star
Sees British Empire, Not India,
on Downswing Now
To the Editor OF The Star:
The concluding sentence of your edi-
torial, "Downswing in India" prompts
query from one who has followed British
Indian affairs for almost 80 years. Tt
refers to the ukase of the British that
the government will grant authority only
to an Indian regime which represents the
will of all major factors Of the political
situation.
Recognizing the many and diverse fac
tors in country so vast and embracing
nearly one-fifth of the worlds popula-
ton, one naturally asks: Does not such
situation highlight the absolute impossi-
bility-not to say the obviously unfair
intent-of such demand? Recognition,
too, should be given to the fact, admitted
by reputable British authorities, that the
British Raj today is at a dangerously
low arc of "downswing" (Which began
way back in 1920, from which year dates
, India's resolve to work for her inde-
pendence by all peaceful and legiti-
mate means') marking decline in
British supremacy which was greatly
accelerated in 1899.
All these easily provable statements
show India to be in an upswing of major
proportions, which circumstance led H.
N. Brailsford to say in 1888, 'The time
has come for us to get out of India"
He followed that with the observation
that to do otherwise would shock the
best instincts of Englishmen. This, from
Englands leading authority on Indian
affairs, should not be forgotten.
BLANCHE WATSON.
Seeing-Eye Dogs Exonerated
To the Editor CT The Star:
In reporting the accident in which
Mrs. Esther Williams was struck by an
automobile some of the papers stated
that the dog led Mrs. Williams in
front OF moving car. I, too, have
seeing-eye dog, and I know that such
thing could not be true. Both our
dogs were trained at the Seeing Eye
Institute at Morristown, N. j., where
the dogs are taught specifically not to
take their owners into the path of
moving object. They are trained to
stay on the sidewalk until the "for-
ward" command is given, and if there
should be anything moving in the street
h@ n
even force the dog to go forward. If
a vehicle approaches while they are on
the street, the dog knows whether he
can proceed or stay where he is. These
dogs are so perfectly trained at The
institute in Morristown that it is not
fair to blame an accident on them for
lack of vigilance or neglect of duty.
An eyewitness of the above mentioned
accident states that the Cog was try
ing to pull Mrs. Williams out of the
path of the oncoming car.
Mrs. williams has had her dog for
eight years and 1t has taken perfect
care of her during that time I have
had mine for six years and have
Travelled throughout the eastern half
Of the United States alone with her
without symptom of an accident.
Every precaution is taken at Norris
town to make these dogs safe guides.
When things 60 wrong it is often be-
cause the dog is distracted by some
bystander who is dog lover and tries
to get the dogs attention. There have
been very few accidents with the blind
and their dogs, and any that occur
can be attributed to the negligence of
humans If every blind person would
keep his dog in training, treat it well
and reward it for its splendid work
(as we are taught to do), there Would
be even fewer accidents.
Mrs. Williams accident is a very
tragic one and all the blind of Wash
ington feel it deeply, as do all her
sighted friends, but we do not want
the dogs blamed when it is not their
fault
The public as a whole in Washing
ton both pedestrians and drivers, are
most solicitous Of the. blind In fact,
they should pay absolutely no attention
to these who are being guided by dogs,
as that distracts the attention of both
the dog and its owner, and commands
cannot be given and obeyed successfully
under those conditions. If the dogs
owner needs help from pasSelby, he
will ask for it.
T am writing this In the hope that.
by acquainting the public with few
facts regarding the seeing-eye dogs and
ourselves. their masters, it will better
understand our position and thus help
the public to help lis.
LENoRA MARQUIS.
Soviet Union Menace to Peace
To the Editor of The Star:
aAll this talk about war with Russia