BRITISH RULE IN INDIA.

Evening Star, Issue 12884, 6 August 1906, Page 5

BRITISH RULE IN INDIA.

The 'Statt eman,' the leading AngloIndiau paper, condemning the Barisal proceedings, says of Sir B. Puller: "We have a rultr un-English in his methods, who failed to grasp the accepted principles of British administration. If tiio. LieutenantGovernor of East Bengal could be transferred to Russia, he would give every satisfaction to his superior officers. The Cossacks 'would receive constant employment. Sir Bamfylde would be in his element, he is wasted upon English territory. We do not exaggerate when wo say tIM a large portion of Eastern Bengal i* animated by a sentiment very different from that of the loyalty which should prevail. What would Englishmen say and do if an attempt were made to suppress the song 'For he's a jolly good fellow'? Imagine the temper of Scotland if the Government banned ' Should auld acquaintance be forgot.' By his prohibitions of processions and public meetings in public places ho has taken away the very essential of popular demonstrations. Where would English liberties be but for the processions in Hyde Park and the mass meetings? The whole syestem has culminated logically in the uns.emly spectacles recently witnessed at Barital, where the local officials dispersed a peaceful, unarmed procession, and broke up a lawfid representative conference to give effect to Sir Bamfylde Fuller's decrees. TJnfottunately these proceL-dings are not the only consequences of the poiicy of suppres*uon. The magistrates have come to understand that if they axe to retain the favor of the Lieu-tenant-Governor they must strike hard and promptly at any movement which is a protest against the reign of terror. Legal formalities are not allowed to stand in the way. The Governor's circulars themselves being a breach of the Constitution, if not of its law, they must necessaritly be supported by actions illegal and unconstitu tional, but the forms of law are often the real safeguards of liberty, and men will submit to the arbitrary proceedings of the Executive if they oan obta.in redress from a legal tribunal Fullerism is rapidly tending to remove this reason for patience, and the people are Irginning to lose confidence in what has hitherto the foundation of their loyalty. The majestic impartiality of British justice, we venture to su gest, in the circumstances is worthy of the attention of Mr Morley." The feeling of indignation is spreading. The Hindoo leading native newspaper at Madras says that the discontent of Bengal ;s rapiclly sp: ending to other part? of Ind : a. The 'Tribune,' the leading native journal of th© Punjab, Bays that in place 01 commotion confined to one province the whole of India is violently stirred. Crowded public meetings at Poona and Madras have condemned th,e proceedings of the authorities at Barisil as highly unconstitutional. The Madras meeting authorised the sending of a message to Mr Morley .asking, for early sympathetic orders, restoring faith in British fredqm and the right of citizenship. Tho boycott of British goods is rigorously enforced in. the capital, and tie leading commerchl journal in its last issue says: "The agitation in Eastern Bengal is likely to oa-use the r. cmdescence of the boycotting movement " —Calcutta correspondent of tie 'Daily News.'