THE PELORUS GUARDIAN and Miners’ Advocate. FRIDAY, 24th MAY, 1907. THE TROUBLE IN INDIA.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 18, Issue 42, 24 May 1907, Page 4

THE PELORUS GUARDIAN and Miners’ Advocate. FRIDAY, 24th MAY, 1907. THE TROUBLE IN INDIA.

The news of disaffection in India is regarded in the colonies as v.ery serious, but it is probable that its importance and extent has been greatly exaggerated. It would be unfortunate for the Native population there if another outbreak on'the lines of the Mutiny were to occur, for England would, in that case, without doubt put it beyond the power of the survivors to again foment rebellion. The discontent of the people is stated to have been contributed to by the arrogance of British officials, and there may be a good deal of truth in the statement; but the foundation of the trouble lies in quite another direction. A southern correspondent who has spent many years in India supplies the following interesting particulars“ The spread of education throughout India has been very great, and has been accompanied by many secondary, and somewhat incalculable, consequences. Cunning, unscrupulous, and litigious as a vast number of natives are, especially the Bengalis, they apply the learning in ways which do not commend themselves to us. They are taught in our schools the proud boast that all British subjects are equally free in the eyes of the law, and that freedom follows the flag. But they find that this is not the ease; it is only a polite fiction. In the colonies they are treated as foreigners and undesirables, and they realise that the boast is not true. Equal opportunities are not granted to them in their own laud even; the services have been thrown open to them much more than formerly, but they are not by any means free. Any British lad may aspire to the Premiership of Great Britain, and every French boy carries a marshal’s baton in his knapsack, but the Indian knows quite well that the highest positions in his own land are not open to him. The freedom of the press has, however, been granted to the people, and the irresponsible scribbler takes full advantage of it to pour out his malevolent feelings against the white man, who condemns and flouts him. As a matter of fact, far too much freedom has been allowed the Native press, and the scurrilous and seditious character of much of what is published should have been summarily dealt with long ago. The flame has been allowed to burn too long, and it will require a very vigorous application of cold water to suppress it. The men who conduct the Native newspapers know every point and quibble of the law, and they sail as near the wind as they can. Finding that they can overstep the limits with comparative impunity they have of late waxed very impudent, and are now likely to smart for their treasonable language. These are among the serious problems of India to-day. The conditions are very different from those of the Mutiny year, and the prospect of anything approaching a revolt of the people is small indeed. But there are deep grievances to be righted, and it is the duty of the people of all parts of the Empire to see that these are righted. We have our vast responsibilities to others, and the miserable, petty, and selfish spirit which so many of our fellow countrymen—Little Englanders, Socialists, Labour leaders, and others—display towards the countless peoples of India is one of the most depressing aspects of the outlook. We hold India to-day, as we held it on the suppression of the great Mutiny, by the power of the sword. We are still a long way from holding it, as it ought to be held, by the power of affection."