NORTH-WEST FRONTIER

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22399, 12 May 1938, Page 2

NORTH-WEST FRONTIER

EXPERIENCES OF MILITARY OFFICERS MEETING OF TRAVEL CLUB “Wo never take action against a tribe on the North-West Frontier of India unless action has been taken against us,” said Lieutenant I. A. T. Stuart, of the Indian Army, speaking at the Canterbury (N.Z.) Travel Club meeting at Ballantynes yesterday. Lieutenant Stuart is an Australian, who has served for four years in the Indian Army, and is now on furlough in New Zealand. His subject was “Imperial Policing of India.” , The British Army, he said, small as it is compared with the armies: of some countries, is somewhat iin the nature of a military police, and Indih is the main part of the Empire policed by thp army. He differentiated carefully between the two armies in India,—the British Army in India, which: consisted entirely of British troops, and the Indian Army, composed of natives, mainly in the charge of British officers. To obviate the dangers of-mutiny, each regiment is composed of different classes, the main types eplisted being the Sikhs, a fine type of fighting men, distinguished by their long hair; and long beards, the Dogras, high-class Hindus, the Puniaubis, the Mahrattas, the Rajmuls, and the Pathans, good Soldiers, tough and brave,’ but not reckless, who loved fighting for its own sake, and were loyal soldiers while serving under the colours. The task of the Indian Army, Lieutenant Stuart-said, was first to ensure internal security in India, not an easy matter where the people differed widely in religion, race, and language; second, to protect the North-West Frontier,’ and last to be prepared to fight overseas. He spoke from firsthand recent knowledge of thp difficulties on the North-West Frontier, where raiding tribesmen had to be kept out of India -and ti»e five big passes through the mountains had to be protected. In this rugggd country the Pathans had how learnt that fighting was not a profitable business. Generally speaking, they fougl” fairly, and they would' protect women and cnildren. Fortunately for the British, the different classes—there were 13 mam classes—fought amongst themselves. In the Indian Army, on this frontier, five officers commanded 500 men. The natives preferred to be led by British officers, and as the enemy always aimed at officers. the casualties amongst officers were high. To be a good officer, it was not only necessary to be a fine soldier and a brave manknowledge and understanding of the natives and their customs were essential. Frontier strategy was not the simple matter that writers who had never visited the country would ask their readers to believe. The Pathans must be trusted and treated as loyal until they proved the contrary. Before the address, songs were rung by Mrs W. B. Harris, for whom Mrs J C. Cullman was accompanist. Mr J.' G. D. Ward was chairman. Mrs J. W K. Lawrence welcomed the visitors, and Mrs W. Machin thanked the speaker, Mrs Harris, and Mrs Cullman. „ The guests of honour were Lieutenant Stuart (Wnziristan, India), Mrs Heywood (Durban), Mr Carl Nicis (Russia). Mrs S. A. Bell (Southport, Queensland), Mrs Alex. Alexander (Roxburgh). Mrs Stewart and Miss Adcle Seay (Auckland). Mrs E. Cohen. Mr J. Anderson. Mrs Blazey (Wellington), Mrs Annesley-Smith (Morrinsville). Miss Adria Bush (Grcymouth), Miss N. Haylock (Akaroa), and Miss P, Jones (Dunedin).