ENGLAND AND RUSSIA: A NATIVE VIEW.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2528, 22 September 1888, Page 2 (Supplement)

ENGLAND AND RUSSIA: A NATIVE VIEW.

Duiusc. the past few weeks a number of articles have appeared in the Vernacular Press of Bengal upon the question of Russia's rivalry with England in Asia. The following translations, which are purposely mado as near literal as possible, will serve to show what the views of some Bengal journalists are upon this subject:— The Ihiitynba.u (Calcutta) says : —"At this present moment the Lion has become apprehensive with the fear of the Bear. The settlement of the Boundary question will not preserve peace. Embankments of sand cannot withstand high tides, the nature of the European is that so long as he does not find any opportunity he avails himself of it at once. Will the Kusaians fear your boundary line ? If the Russians were the incarnation of virtue it is doubtful whether the English could place reliance on their assertions. If their sole object was to advance towards Constantinople why have they marched so close to India ? Their pretence is that they are moving towards Constantinople, but practically they are advancing towards India. We do not mean to say that the Russians have no intentiou of moving towards Constantinople, but (our contention is that) if they find nny opportunity of advancing to wards India they will avail themselves of that first of all, and give up the idea of moving towards Constantinople. How can the English believe that for the sake of Constantinople the Russians will let them alone? We would not believe that even if the Russians swore in the name of their spiritual guide.* So we say that the Russians will have to be feared. Who can aay when and in what manner the English will rid themselves of this fear ? The English believe that they have no means of doing so ; but we know that there are such means. The English are fearful on account of India -.that fear may be removed. Where the disease 13, the remedy is also found there. You should not displease the natives of India and make distinction between white and black in any way. If 250 millions of the Indian population be discontented then you will not get rid of your fear of Russia. You must not introduce any measure which will offend the natives of India, and yon should also see that jfcstice ia duly administered. Englishmen you are not foolish ! Why do you not introduce the administrative policy of your country into a foreign country ? Better keep the people of India happy and contented."

In an article headed " Wlio Will Suffer More ?" the Dainik and Chaudrika (Calcutta) writes as follows : —" The Russians are gradually advancing to wards India,. The Enelish are very appreheneive of the Russians, more particularly asjregards India. If Russia really takes possession of India then the question is—Who will suffer more ? The English themselves say that if India passes out of their hands England will suffer a great deal. This is true. By reason of India the commerce and manufactures of England have considerably increased, and from India England is drawing interest on her capital. A good deal of English capital has been laid out on railways ; and these have been providing many with the means of livelihood. English merchants, shopkeepers, brokers, indigo and tea planters are earning their bread by India, not to mention the civil and military officers—in fact, the English will be rained if India passes out of their hands. The Anglo-Indian readers must not feel offended with us for this assertion. We do not say this. It has been stated by an Englishman of high position in a very respectable English paper. This assertion is very true. Who will suffer more if India passes into the hands of the Russians 1 What is it to us ? Subjects will obey whomever may be their king. We were under the Hindus; then we became subjects of the [Pathans, and afterwards of the Moghuls ; now we are under English rule. The English have kept ns in happiness as well as in misery, and that is not very bad. We shall have to become subservient to him who is sovereign of our country. So we say that it is the English who will suffer more if India passes out of their hands. Wβ shall remain if the Russians occupy India. They will take care of us. There will then be no Englishmen in India. Then the facility for English commerce and manufactures and the influence of indigo and tea planters will pass away. The facility for employing English capital will cease. There will then be no means to support thousands of civil and military officers. In fact, England will greatly suffer. So we earnestly beseech you Englishmen to do your best in order that you may hold India in your possession. Better satisfy the people of India. If 250 millions of India's population be contented then neither gods nor demons will bo able to do anything against you.

The Pra/rt£fl/Krt!« (Chandernagore) says: —" On the 29th of May last, which was the anniversary day of His Majesty Alexander 111, the Emperor of Russia, the Transcaspian Railway to Samarkaud was opened with great pomp. The rejoicings on the opening day of this railway have astounded the heart of the British Lion. We find that what the native papers said after the Russian victory at the battle of Penjdeh has now been stated in a similar manner in tho pages of Blackwood's Mii«azine. The assertion of the Russians, ' We stop here and shall proceed no further, ' has no value cannot le relied upon. Whatever the Russians may say in words, their ultimate design is undoubtedly against India. But what is really being done for that fi c, to meet that design) ? At this moment is it proper to waste energy in Tibet and Burma ? Or can the realisation of some money from Native Princes through pressure bo of any benefit ? Our English contemporaries have now begun to say that England will suffer a great deal if she bo deprived of India. For a long time past the natives of this country have been saying : ' Englishmen, be careful and do your best for the defence of India against Russia's aggression.' But who hears that ? So we say : ' You are not lending your ears to those words, because you are now in your glory : but you will have to Rhpri tenrs hereafter. "