INDIAN PROBLEM

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8612, 24 December 1913, Page 5

INDIAN PROBLEM

DANGEROUS LATENT FORCES A GREAT QUESTION TO BE SOLVED. 13jr TAleerapla—Frau A**oolatlon->Coprriffht —Sydney *au u" Ua.bl*Bj> (Received December 23, 7.50 p.m.) LONDON, December 23. “Tho Times,” in a special article on India, insists that a strong Government and firm administration are imperative. The Government, says “The Times,” must concern itself less with politics and more with economics. The great question to bo solved it:—“Can the democracy govern the vast Eastern Empire ?” Let the conscientious democrat in England reflect on thr. tumultuous forces latent in 295,000,000 of people, wholly uneducated and inheriting strong fighting instincts, split into discordant elements, thou sands of castes, and quickly roused to violent fanaticism. “What power,” asks “Tho Times,” “is to preserve the stupendous mob from blood-stained anarchy if British rule is weakened or removed? Who le to hold back the armed warrior tribes of the north-west, with the Afghan (hordes behind them, the Nepaulese on the north, and the Chinese on the north-east, from the rich plains and cities of India? Lot the democrat realise that, if British rale fails, elemental instincts will ruthlessly assert themselves until some other Western Power restores order by the sw’ord.”