WAR SERVICES

Evening Star, Issue 19758, 7 January 1928, Page 18

WAR SERVICES

INDIA’S ARMY IN FRANCE. A new aspect of the services rendered in the war by the native forces from India was revealed by Mr Rudyard Kipling at the unveiling of tho Indian war memorial at Neuvc Cbapellc. Ho described them as men “ of a great simplicity and an utter loyalty—soldiers for whom there was no darker sin than that of being false to tho salt of their obligation.” Continuing, he said: “ Lord Birkenhead has touched on the material difficulties and bewilderments that met them in their adventure to the West. Have you ever thought what they endured on the spiritual side when they voyaged forth over oceans whoso existence they°had never conceived into lands which lay beyond the extremest limits of their imagination, into countries which, for aught they knew, wore populated by devils and monsters? Columbus and his men, seeking now worlds, did not confront half the dread possibilities which those men of India prepared themselves to meet. And in that mood they came to Franco, and presently wrote letters homo to their relatives and their friends trying to make clear to them the spirit of this new universe. Some of those letters 1 have road. I can testify it was not long before the essential humanity, honesty, goodwill, and the sane thrift of Franco as an agricultural nation soothed their hearts and sot their minds at rest. Ono young man, whoso letter 1 can quote almost textually, wrote, to reassure his mother, in those words: ‘ Oh, my mother, do not bo afraid. These people are as civilised as ourselves, , and, above all, the women are as good agriculturists as the men. I have seen it. Their land passes from father to eon _on payment of the necessary taxes, precisely as it does with us. They buy and sell in tho streets, too—portions of fowl and meat, with needles, thread, scissors, and matches, just as we do in our bazaars at home. Have, then, no more fear, for they are in all respects like ourselves.” That was but one soul among many of all races, castes, and religions whom the gracious spirit and reason of France had conquered and put at ease. I wish that, in these few words, I could give you any idea of the permanence of your'Vmquest in India.”