The Star. THURSDAY, JUNE 17, 1915. INDIA'S PUBLIC SPIRIT.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXIX, Issue LXIX, 17 June 1915, Page 4

The Star.

THURSDAY, JUNE 17, 1915. INDIA'S PUBLIC SPIRIT.

delivered every evening by 5 o'clock in Hawera, Manaia, Normanby, Okaiawa, Eltbam, Mangatoki, Kaponga, Awatuna, Opunake, Otakeho, Manutahi, Alton, Hurleyville, Patea, Waverley.

1 _ In so far as Britain is concerned, the unimpeachable loyalty of India is one of the truly great factors in connection with the war. "Were there trouble, or any real ground for doubt in this matter, Britain's effectiveness in Europe would be gravely prejudiced, and Germany's chances would be bettered in proportion. Before the war and when it began, Germany hoped for this, and she has even tried, and may still Ibe trying in various nefarious ways, ito promote disaffection in India. The

Singapore riot* Kav^, for m&m&;:mti traced to her,agents. Btkt Itndia-v*ei mains aoUdly'^yal^pattly^betaule *>& genuine appreciation of the beneficence vpf British rulef: and partly* oecaus'e her people know th^t,tlerman overlordship would be thV^greiatest calamity, "fchfct could befall $henr.\ sThe latest news from Simla states thai "numerouf articles ,appear inr the press expressing disgust and horror at' the German methods of warfare, particularly,, the use of gas proving that India will'do her utmost to crush the ruthless enemy. Recruiting is proceeding vigorously throughout India, and all'sections of the community are working for the war funds. Ambulance workk ers are especially busy, and have already sent over £50,000 worth of gifte. • The latest Red Cross donations include " fourteen motor ambulances, war hospitals, and three motor launches for • the Persian Gulf." The native princes, too, continue to contribute to the various wgr funds with true Oriental

munificence. Yet there hare been evil influences at %ork, with a view to quite other tesults, and probably they could, with adequate research, be traced to or/suggestion.^ ; In* East and West for^May it is stated that reports hard- i ships suffered by Indian ; inEu- j rope had been obliquely spread in India^ andM thatj they "might possibly have some effect upon recruiting. Such & result would be so dear to" a German agent's heart, and so advantageous to Germany, that ".^here is .probably^ no . yiuairn'essT^no-'.tuiiwa^n^ ,iiisa^n:;;asart^^ in'att'origin, espe^ally In ¥iew ■of GieW man action :in connection with the Singapore riots. But at the time of the insidious reports, the Maharaja Scindia of Gwalior made a public declaration which must have influenced the minds of his countrymen far and wide, put them on their guard against falsehood in fact or by suggestion, and satisfied them that there was no foundation for the oblique reports that, had been or were being circulated amongst them. Scindia, who personally interviewed invalided Indian officers and men at Bombay, also personally sent to East and West a communication in which he said, inter alia, in singularly straightforward English: "I am in a position to state that the reports of the men proved beyond a shadow of doubt that on the field of battle European and Indian troops are employed on a footing of perfect equality and there is absolutely no foundation for any rumours about unequal treatment that may have been set afloat. It is, of course, a matter of common knowledge that in the present war in France the troops engaged in battle have had to live in trenches. The invalided Indian soldiers related that on occasions they had to remain in the trenches for a whole fortnight at a stretch, but had nothing to complain of as regards the sup , ply of food and other necessaries of life. It was true that at first when they landed in Prance, they were supplied with the biscuits usually supplied to all the troops in times of war, but as soon as the Indians brought to the notice of their commanding officers that they could not subsist on these biscuits, arrangements for the supply of proper food were made. There has been no occasion for complaint since. In the battlefield, the Indian, English and French troops fight shoulder to shoulder. The report that the Indian soldiers are placed in front of the English is an absolute lie. It is amazing to find that, in spite of the excellence of the arrangements and of the care taken of the Indian troops and of the sympathy of the British officers and His Majesty the King himself, such absurd rumors should be set afloat. The Indian soldiers have always been distinguished for their courage and endurance of privations, and they know »w to, put up with the hardships inseparable from active service. It goes without saying that in war everyone,, from the highest officer to the ordinal ] soldier, has to suffer discomforts and hardships. There would be no difference between war time and peace rime if that were not so." Such a s+atement, made by a prince so eminent rs the Maharaja of Gwalior, must, is vre\ have said, have had a far-reaching influence amongst his countrymen; and the latest news from Simla shows that the British-Imperial loyalty of the people of India is admirably splendid m its spirit, and correspondingly so in its practical results.