BRITISH RULE IN INDIA.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18650, 20 August 1930, Page 9

BRITISH RULE IN INDIA.

Impartiality Of Justice. SIR JOHN SIMON’S VIEWS. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright OTTAWA, August 18. “The British Administration in India has given to that great eastern country faith in the impartiality of justice and peace needed for the furtherance of progress and unity. It has performed valuable services as an unswayed referee to compose claims and avert a clash between races,” declared Sir John Simon, addressing the Canadian and Empire Clubs on Monday. Sir John appealed to the people of Canada to take their share of Empire responsibilities towards India. SITUATION REVIEWED. COMMUNAL DISTURBANCES. British Official Wireless RUGBY, August 18. In an appreciation by the Government of the situation in India up to August 16, it is stated that the focus of interest in the tribal situation during the week has been the activities of an Afridi Lashkar in the Peshawar district, and on the district border. Detachments from the main Lashkar. which got into the district last week remained there at varying strength. Numerous large gangs concealed themselves in a thickly wooded belt to the south and southeast of Peshawar, and amongst the ravines further east, and were a constant source of trouble and anxiety to the authorities. They also made several unsuccessful attempts in small parties by night to enter the city and cantonments. Taking advantage of the cover afforded by high crops, they were generally able to elude the military whose efforts were directed to their expulsion. For this reason decisive military action against them Is difficult at the present season. Moreover, they undoubtedly received shelter, food and some active assistance from the villages in the neighbourhood of Peshawar. They at one time succeeded in cutting all communications with Peshawar, and one party forced its way into a supply depot. There it did some damage before being driven out. The Orakai situation has remained uncertain. A number of Orakyai undoubtedly accompanied the main Afridi Lashkar, and some took part in the activities inside the Pashawar district on the Kurram border. Overt action was taken against the Government by a section of Orakyai, with their neighbours, the Chamkannis, who made an attack on milita posts and villages in Kurram Valley. The milita and village levies engaged them with good spirit. Prompt and very successful air action was taken against hostile formations, and after due warning against the villages from which they came. Heavy casualties are believed to have been inflicted, and considerable damage was done to the villages of the more prominent hostile leaders. This prompt and heavy punishment undoubtedly had a sobering effect on the tribes concerned. By the end of the week the number of Afridis remaining in the Peshawar district had greatly decreased, as also had the main body of Lashkar in the vicinity of the Khajuri plain. The situation, however, continues to be one of considerable gravity and danger. Communal disturbances in Sind have spread over a large area on both sides of the Indus, and a serious situation has developed. The population of the villages is almost entirely Mohammedan, with a small section of Hindu moneylenders and traders, to whom many of the Mohammedans are indebted. Communal feeling is. therefore, aggravated by economic causes, and when, as in the present case, the trouble extends into the rural area it takes the form of violence towards, and looting of the small Hindu population. It is is feared the loss of life and property has been considerable. Outside the northwest frontier province and Sind there has been a comparative absence of incidents during the week.