ASIA.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLII, Issue 1, 6 January 1909, Page 9

ASIA.

Increased pay is to be granted the men and officers of the Indian Army. Russia and Britain intend to use the strongest pressure to compel the Shah of Persia to accept a definite programme of financial and administrative reform. A large number of Indian honours have been gazetted in connection with the commemoration of the fiftieth anniversary of the (Town's assumption of the government of India. Indian Nationalists. ’The Indian National Congress opened at Madras last week. Dr. Ghose being elected president. Dr. Ghose declared that the whoie of India was deeply grateful for Viscount Morley's efforts, which gave the country something like, constitutional government. Indians had best show themselves deserving of Great Britain’s confidence. Colonial self-government was India's ideal, though he feared it was very distant. The repressive legislation lately passed would, he hoped, only be temporary. He ridiculed the idea of shaking British sovereignty by a few flasks of picric acid or a few pounds of powder. Mohammedan papers consider the reforms tantamount to the political abandonment of the Mohammedans, and favouring the Hindus. They also condemn the disregarding by Viscount Morley of Lord Minto’s efforts to safeguard the Mohammedans.