INDIAN SEDITIONIST.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 156, 30 June 1914, Page 7

INDIAN SEDITIONIST.

WELCOME IN RETURN.

By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright,

Calcutta, June-28. A great demonstration was held yes* s " terday to celebrate tho release of Tilak, the seditionist, who was .do- . ported five years ago. The people- ■'. sang national songs and cheered' '"• Tilak's garlanded portrait.

CAREER OF NATIONALIST In 1908, Tilak, Iho head of the Nationalist movement in the Bombay Presidency, wassentonced to six years' transportation and ■■ a fine of £66 for publishing seditious articles. Tho articles Mere said by Mr. Justice Davar, who sentenced Tilik, .to . have " seethed with sedition, preached violence, and approved murders and the employment of bombs." Tilak, «ho is close on 60 years of age, had been a popular leader for close upon thirty years. Thq whole of his mature lite has ■ been a troubled time. In early manhood ho was imprisoned for defaming the Minister of a nativo State. In 1897, during the fury ■ of opposition aroused by the anti-plaguo measures of Lord Elgin's Government, ho was condemned for making and printing a seditious speech—a speech which was followed by the murder in Pooiia of two British officers. The jury held that the connection between the two events was established, and Tilak was sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment. By caste he is a Brahmin, by profession a lawyer, by nature a leader of men, a master of situations and wiles.