INDIANS' SWEET TOOTH

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2729, 25 March 1916, Page 10

INDIANS' SWEET TOOTH

150,000'L8. OF SUGARY MORSELS, PROVIDED. Li the record of the work of the Indian Soldiers' Fund in ministering to the comforts of our Sikhs, Pathans, and others when fighting in Franco, 6crupu< lous caro, it is stated, had to bo observed to avoid offending caste and re. ligious susceptibilities. "Extreme precautions," it is noted, had to be taken 'in packing the many copies of the "Koran" and the "Grantli Sahibs," which were among the religious volumes forwarded from India, and on the advice of Sir James Willcocks none was sent to-the lighting line, as in case of an unexpected move the volumes might have become a source of embarrassment. So, too, in distributing the 1500 Brah. maniacal; Threads, a gift from tho Maharani of Bhownagur, extreme watchfulness was neccssary to see that only members of the "Twice born castes" received them. Amulets are treasured, and miniature copies of tho "Koran," enclosed in lockets, nro worn as talismans. Of Sikh symbols 4000 sets have been supplied. The consumption of 22,000,000 cigar, ettes indicates that Tommy's little weakness is contagious, lint sweetmeats arc the Indians' delight, and loO,ooolb. of sugary morsels were provided for tliam. Nothing'is in more constant request than the gramophone. A Pathan in hospital at Rouen asked for a flute. A special effort was made to obtain'one for hint from England. At length a penny whistle arrived! The I'athaji's lament at tho thought thiit this was •the best England could achieve was pathctic, hilt the whistle proved to have boon merely temporary, and at length the cherished flllfe arrived.' • Twelve dozen bottles of blank haif ■five was another little necessary provi. sion for certain cavalry regiments.