POSITION IN INDIA

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 49, 26 August 1925, Page 6

POSITION IN INDIA

A BETTER ATMOSPHERE MB. ARTHUR MOORE'S VIEWS. Among the most distinguished journalists in the Empire Press delegation at' present visiting Wellington is Mr. Arthur Moore, director of the Calcutta "Statesman," the leading journal in India. After a brilliant career at Oxford, where he was President of the Union, Mr. Moore entered journalism ■with the London "Times," becoming correspondent for that paper in the Near East and afterwards in Persia and the Middla East. He covered for the "Times" the many interesting events in that wide area up to the outbreak of the war, publishing travel sketches under the title of "The Orient Express," full of the colour of the I East. • ! Joining the Rifle Brigade, ho served through the Gallipoli campaign and afterwards at Salomon. Though over the official age to qualify as an air pilot he was able to carry otit a longcherished desire for flying work, and became an expert airman in the R.A.F., rising to the rank of squadron-com-mander. He afterwards served on the staff of General Sir Thomas Bridges, now Governor of South Australia. On returning to civil life' Mr. Moore rejoined the staff of the "Times" and made a tour of the Near and Middle East investigating for his paper postwar conditions in those troubled regions. Then he assumed his present position in Calcutta as director of "The Statesman," and has played a considerable part in the developments of the last few years, which have resulted in ;: much better atmosphere and better relations between the British Raj and the parties hitherto hostile to British rule. Speaking generally of the situation m India, Mr. Moore told a "Post" representative that there had been a marvellous improvement sinco the visit of the Prince of Wales, when non-co-operation and more than covert hostility on the part of the Swarajists made the position of the Government oi India exceedingly difficult. Mr. Moore told the story of the change which had followed the imprisonment of Gandhi and his kinder feelings towards the British which came after an operation performed upon him by a British surgeon who saved his life and the careful attention given by the nurses in the hospital. Thus he became more reconciled to the Government, and the policy of non-co-operation preached by Gandhi in the past gradually faded to comparative insignificance. The followers of Gandhi split over the question _oL obstruction in- the legislature in which the Indians have now a large and important share. v The last obstacle was removed by the renouncement of active opposition by R. C. Das, Gandhis successor, shortly before Das died. Under Mr. Moore, "The Statesman" advocated a policy of reconciliation, leaning neither to one extreme nor the other, the Die-Hards or the rabid Indian extremists. The result of this policy has been an atmosphere in the provincial and national legislatures which is milking for the peace, order, and prosperity of India. The Indian politician is beginning to recognise the advantages of practical politics and to realise that the doctrine of non-co-operation :s purely negative and leads nowhere. He also appreciates the pleasures of political life and the friendly attitude and patience of the British members of the legislature are being rewarded by a much more amenable disposition on tho part of the Indian secLirms. Tims the constitution planned by that admirable administrator. Sir William Minns, one of New /.calami's greatest sons, is working, and working well.