UNREST IN INDIA

Otago Witness, Issue 3522, 13 September 1921, Page 18

UNREST IN INDIA

EFFECTIVE MILITARY ACTION. DELHI, September 4. It is reported that they received an ultimatum to surrender two days ago. Since the surrender of Ali Mehelier, who had proclaimed himself Rajah of Malabar, the rebellion appears to be collapsing. Cavalry are scouring the country capturing rebels wholesale. Petty engagements are occurring daily. Refugees are pouring into Callout with harrowing tales of murder and'plunder. Further disturbances arc- reported from Madras. Detachments o\ the Leinster and Suffolk Regiments are parading the streets, while the police .scattering handbills containing the announcement that the declaration of martial law is absolutely necessary since the Civil Government has temporarily collapsed. The situation, however, is practically in hand, owing to prompt and effective military action. September 5. Over 300 Moplah rebels who were convicted under martial law have been sen tenced to two years’ vigorous treatment on charges of looting and damaging the railways. September 6. It is officially announced that the Moplah situation is well in hand. The Moplah casualties were very heavy owing to their absolute disregard of life. ft is stated that attempts were unsuccessfully made to tamper with the loyal tv of the troops, which the Government does notview with equanimity. THE GOVERNMENT’S WARNING. DELHI, September 6. The Government has issued a serious warning that lawlessness will be rigorously eradicated, as the result of organised looting of grain shops at Meerut, owing to the high prices charged by uu. crupulous speculators. The bazaars have been closed, and the military are patrolling the streets. STRIKE OF SCHOOLBOYS. DELHI, September 6. There is a schoolboys’ strike throughout Travancore It is being fostered by extremists. 'rite ostensible reason is the raising of fees. Ail the schools are closed. RISING DUE TO EXTREMISTS. DELHI, September /. In the recent troubles tire Mnplahs lost 1000 killed. One British ollieer, three soldiers, two assistant superintendents, an inspector, and two head constables were killed. A constable and a retired police official were murdered.

Tlie latest communique states that the punitive columns are now meeting with no opposition. The opinion held in official circles is that the rising was entirely due to extremist agitators. The need is urged for providing larger monetary provision for internal defence in order to guard against future similar troubles. The newspapers chiefly attribute the trouble to Mahomed Ali's speeches and activities. INDIAN’S REMARKABLE LETTER. LONDON, September 7. The Daily Telegraph publishes a remarkable letter written by an Indian living in Cannamore, in the Malabar district, on August 16, the week before the Moplah outbreak. The writer, who speaks five Indian languages, says: “In Bombay I heard talk of how the order will soon come to ‘ spare not ’ in Allibad. I heard them talking in Hindustani of killing all the white 'dogs ’—that is the white people. In the Punjab there was the same talk, and in the Calcutta bazaars it was worse and worse still. In Madras 1 heard the same talk in the Tamil lan--1 guage.” The letter concludes: “Why I not deport Ghandi and also the AH ! brothers. This Government is not wood. It is weak. If it is strong now the j country will be saved from blood.” j SITUATION WELL IN HAND. DELHI, September 8. j An official message states that everyi thing points to a steady improvement in I the situation. The morale of the rebels J is waning, and further resistance is not expected, except possibly bv small bands of fanatics. The situation is well in hand. “CONVERSIONS” TO ISLAM. DELHI. September 8. Upwards of 2000 Hindus have been forcibly converted to Islam. The Moplah rebels hiding in the hills are making night raids on the Hindus’ ; houses, looting them, and forcing the in i mates to accent Islam. !