No. 1,061 Old S e r ie s . ; No. 967. New S e r ie s , j FRIDAY, JULY 14, 1916. "Registered at the G.P.O. 5 P rice...... 3D as a N ew spaper. ) By P ost 3£d Notes and News ...... 9 The “ New Way to India” : A Pan- The Heavy Hand...... 12 German Dream...... 15 opinion upon any particular question, and when it is “ Some American Opinions on Overcrowded Jails in Bengal and the Secretary of f?tate will be wise to take the hint.. India” ...... the Punjab...... 15 ... 1...... 12 Woman Suffragists and India : Letter to the Editor: Speeches by Lady Muir-Mac­ Municipal Trading Licences in kenzie, Sir Krishna Gupta, Sir The Council of the Bombay Presidency Association the Transvaal ...... 13 Mancherjee Bhownaggree, and The “ Times ” on Mismanagement others (Special Report) ...... 16 has resolved that, having regard to the,arbitrary cha­ in Mesopotamia ...... 14 The Education of Women in Sir Pertab Singh on India and the - India: A Record of Existing racter of the provisions *of the. Press Act of 1910,. and War ...... 14 Agencies ...... 17 to th» public dissatisfaction and discontent occasioned Indian War Finance: The Question Indian Affairs in Parliament: of a Special Loan ...... 15 (Special Report) ...... 18 by the manner in which* it has been enforced in the case of several newspapers, and recently in the case of “ New India,” a representation should be submitted NOTES AND NEWS. to the Government by the Association pointing out the — *+------oppressive character of the Act and its administration and asking for its repeal. A committee, consisting of ELEGRAMS from Bombay announce the holding in Sir Narayan Chandavarkar, Mr. B. G. Horniman, Mr. that city of a great meeting of protest against the D. N. Bahadurji, Mr. M. A. Jinnah, and the honorary India Consolidation Act Amendment Bill. Sir Dinshaw secretaries, has been appointed to draft the memorial. Petit, Bart., presided, ancf was supported (says the “Times” correspondent)^ the leading representatives Dewan Bahadur Sir S. Subramania Aiyar presided of all communities. A resolution was carried urging over a large meeting which was held at the Victoria the Government to abandon this “ retrograde and highly Public Hall in Madras on June 12, to protest against controversial measure,” and condemning the manner the action of the Government in demanding security in which it was introduced in the House of Lords with­ from “ New India.” Mr. L. A. Govindaraghava Aiyar out the previous knowledge of the people of India, in moving a resolution demanding the repeal of the “ whose rights are deeply affected.” Similar meetings Press Act said that many of them, might not agree with have been held in other centres. • Mrs. Besant in her views on politics, or with the vehe­ ment language used by her in “ N*ew India,” but the Many of the clauses of the Bill arouse strong pro­ two ideals which she always placed before her readers tests (observes the “ Times”), and the maftner of its were the maintenance of the British connexion under introduction at a time when controversial measures are any circumstances, and the avoidance of all attempts eschewed is greatly resented, but the opposition centres at unconstitutional agitation. on the provision empowering the Provincial Legislatures to abrogate the established right of* citizens to sue the The Press Association of India have resolved to ask Secretary of State. An attempt, in fact, is being made the Viceroy to receive a deputation consisting of Indian* to get behind the interpretation by the Privy Council journalists from all provinces in order to demand the in what is known as the “ Moment case” of 1912 (L.R. repeal of the Press Act. Among the members of the Indian Appeals, Vol. 40, p. 48) of a phrase in the deputation are Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya, Mr, Government of India Act of 1858 to the effect that every Surendranath-Banerjea, Mr, G. A. Natesan,.Mr. Sach- person has “ the same remedies” against the Secretary chtdananda Sinha, and several Mahomedan journalists. of State in Council as he might have had against the East India Company. The “ Amrita Bazar Patrika,” of Calcutta, has re­ called how, in May, 1913, an order was served, without The point (says the “ Manchester Guardian”) is of previous warning, upon the keeper of its printing works undoubted importance to subjects of the Crown in to deposit the maximum security of Rs. 5,000. No India, as a communique issued by the Government at reason was given, but the order, which emanated from Simla a month ago implicitly acknowledged. No less the Government of Bengal, stated that it was issued important from the Imperial point of view (it continues) in connexion with an article which discussed an Assam is the Indian objection to the procedure adopted. A police case. The article, says the “ Patrika,” was con­ bad impression has been created by the introduction of sidered by some; eminent lawyers who held it to be the Bill in the Lords at a time when public attention entirely efree from anything which could be construed is absorbed in issues of tremendous moment, and with­ into “ hatred or contempt of any Government established out the preliminary discussion' in India which is held by law.” Upon enquiry, it was elicited that the Govern­ to be a right under the great Act of 1858. These are ment of Bengal had had no Land in the matter, but that considerations (the “ Guardian” concludes)which affect the action was takers by the Government of India on the peace and contentment of India, and “ we Jiave no the ’motion of the Government of Assam. The doubt that they are present to the'minds of Mr. Austen “ Patrika” is* inclined to think that in Mrs. Besant’s Chamberlain and his colleagues.” * case also the initiative has come from the supreme and not from the local d!ove*rnment. The public has quickly learned how far they are present to the minds in question. Mr. Chamberlain, A telegram has been received announcing in the received on Tuesday last (July 11) a deputation from briefest language that Mrs. Besant has been prohibited the Indian Section of the London Chamber of Com­ from entering the Bombay Presidency under the provi­ merce, which urged him not to proceed further with the sions of .the Defence of India Act. obnoxious clause. Pie was told that numerous repre­ sentations on the subject had been received from the News of the recent English, French, and Russian Chambers of Commerce in India : but alb he had to say successes has been received with the utmost pleasure by way of reply was that he was unable to withdraw in India (telegraphed Reuter’s correspondent at Simla the clause. We regret the decision, which betrays an on July 8). Both princes and people continue their unhappy ignorance of Indian questions. It is seldom generous war gifts. that the Anglo-Indian community is united with Indian The Nawab of Maier Kotla has lent his house in Simla, where No. 2. V o l. XLVI. I O' INDIA. July 14, 1916 the Government will accommodate iilty convalescent officers in a The Government of India have sanctioned the recruit­ nursing home. The Raja of Dhar has offered to pay all expenses ment of one company of Dekhani and Konkani Brah­ for six wounded officers in the Roberts Home at Indore. The Maharaja of Benares has given the Mint House, in Benares., to mins for the Indian Army. It will be attached to the house 150 patients, and will bear all expenses. He .has also given 116th Mahrattas, which has hitherto been composed of a petrol launch for use in Mesopotamia. The Raja of Faridkot ; four companies of Konkani Mahrattas, and two com­ recently collected 18,000 rupees to purchase motor-ambulances for panies eac£i of Dekhani Mahrattas and Dekhani Mussul­ Indian troops. The Durbars of Baroda, Bahawalpur, Faridkot, mans. and Kharsia, have all presented a number of horses as tree gifts. The Maharaja of Patiala recently contributed 21,000 rupees to the Red Gross Council of the St. John Ambulance Association, which has also received a splendid collection of comforts from.the General Smuts telegraphed on July 9 that Tanga was people of New Zealand. From Rady Chelmsford and the wives occupied by his troops on the morning of July 7. The of the provincial Governors downwards the women of India con­ enemy offered only slight resistance and evacuated the tinue their splendid efforts in aid of the war hospitals in the town after destroying the waterworks. The work of provision of comforts for the troops. clearing the Germans from the north-east corner of their protectorate is now completed, Tanga being the At the suggestion of the Maharaj Rana of Dholpur coast terminus of the railway from Moshi, in the Usam- a number of Indian princes, including the Maharajas bara highlands, and the rival to Dar-es-Salaam for of Gwalior; Patiala, Kashmir, Jaipur, Bikanir, Kotah, premier place among the ports of German East Africa. Panna, and Jind, the Rao of Cutch, and the Begum of In November, 1914, an attack on Tanga was made from the Bhopal, have issued an appeal to the ruling princes and sea. On the evening of the 2nd one and a half battalions, con­ chiefs for contributions to a Lord Kitchener Memorial sisting of British and Indian Regular troops and Imperial Service Fund, to be devoted to some permanent and useful troops, were landed within two miles of the town, which was incorrectly reported to be weakly held. The force at once became object to be decided on by the Viceroy in consultation heavily engaged, and was compelled to fall back. On Novem­ with the Indian Relief Fund Committee. The Maha­ ber 4 the British again advanced to the attack, to be met with rajas of Jaipur and Gwalior have given twenty thousand heavy fire within 800 yards the enemy position. The 101st and ten thousand rupees, respectively, and donations Grenadiers pushed gallantly forward, entered the town, and crossed bayonets with the enemy. The Loyal North Lancashire have now reached 42,000 rupees. Regiment and the Kashmir Rifles in support also reached Tanga, but found themselves opposed by tiers of fire from the houses, and It will be seen from our Parliamentary columns that were obliged to fall back to cover, 500 yards in the rear. The losses were very heavy, and ro further reinforcements being the management of the campaign in Mesopotamia is available the British force re-embarked and returned to Mombasa. exciting consideiable attention in both Houses : and The total casualties in this unsuccessful operation were 795, that statements by the Prime Minister and Lord Crewe including 141 British officers and men. are promised-for Tuesday next (July 18). Meanwhile the “ Times” has been conducting a vigorous agitation. The King received the overseas Parliamentary dele­ W e reproduce elsewhere portions of an article which gates at Buckingham Palace on Friday afternoon last appeared in the early part of the week. This (Friday) (July 7). There were no representatives of India in the morning a second article has been published which says deputation,xrbut His Majesty did not forget India in that the correct lines of enquiry are twofold : his speech, for he said — The first “and greatest, because it is the .most serious, is that I congratulate members of the Union of South Africa, justly of the degree to which the Home Government participated in, proud of "'the successes achieved both under the leadership of and possibly even urged, the decision to advance to Bagdad. The , General Botha, and more recently by a force comprising British second is that of the errors of judgment of the generals on the Regulars, South Africans, Rhodesians, East African Settlers, and spot and of the Army Department of India. The second question native troops from my Indian Empire, in the offensive so vigor­ appears to be confined to the Indian generals, a number of whom ously conducted by General Smuts. are concerned. . . . The evifs of ovef

Mr. Montagu, who has succeeded Mr. Lloyd George Mr. N. W. Kemp, Chief Judge of the Bombay Court as Minister of Munitions, and Lord Curzon, as Presi­ of Small Cases, has been appointed to act as a judge dent of the Air Board, have been added to the War of the High Court during the absence on three months’ Committee of the Cabinet. The other members are Mt. sick leave of Sir Dinshav/ Davar. The. appointment has Asquith,. Mr. Bonar Lav/, Mr. Lloyd George, Mr. Bal­ not met with the approval of the “ Bombay Chronicle,” four, and Mr. McKenna. which points out that the Indian community have there­ by been deprived of one of the two out of the seven judge- The Southern India Chamber of Commerce has in­ ships which it has-hitherto possessed. There are quite formed the Government of Madras that in its opinion a number of Indian lawyers at least as well qualified in official and non-official members of the commercial depu­ every respect as Mr. Kemp. Mr, D. N. Bahadurji, for tation to Russia should be financed as such, and that instance, was considered not long ago to be capable therefore, non-official members should not be required enough to act as •A.dvocate-General for six months. to bear their own expenses. The Chamber is prepared Why is he now passed over? Lord Islington was, however, to contribute a sum of Rs. 5,000 towards the only the other day, proclaiming adhesion to the propo­ cost of the whole deputation, and will be glad to nomi­ sition that Indians should be employed in the higher nate an Indian non-official member on hearing from offices of the State wherever opportunity occurs. Whaf the Government. is to be said, then, when*a Government, .as here, not merely •fails to talfe advantage of a new opportunity, but actually declines to appoint an Indian to succeed an A report on emigration and immigration has been Indian, though there is no sort of doubt as to the avail­ submitted to the Government of Madras by the Board ability of not only one but several Indians?, of Revenue in that Presidency. Under the head of “ re­ gulated emigration” we read that emigration to Fiji continued till July, 1915, tlfe number desgatch^d ,from By way of “ compensation,” Mr. K. M. .Jhaveri, Madras being 1,115, and recruitment for British second Judge of the Small Causes Court, has been Guiana began on July 7, 1915, and continued till the appointed to act as Chief Judge in the place of Mr. end of September, 1915, during which period two ship­ Kemp? All the five judges are now Indian : Mr. ments were made from Calcutta and Madras jointly, 737 Hosain Tyabji acting as second Judge, Mr. S. F. Billi- persons being despatched ffom Madras. The “ due pro­ moria as third, Mr. M. D. Kanga as fourth, and Mr. portion” of women was maintained in both cases by the A. A. Chatre, advocate of.the High Court, being intro­ process of making good in Calcutta the deficiency in duced to officiate as fifth Judge. respect of Madras shipments. Recruitment for .Trinidad began in October, 1915, and continued till the end of Few provisions of the Criminal Procedure Code in the year, but there were no shipments to Mauritius, the India are more abused than Section 107, which em­ Seychelles, or the French colonies. powers magistrates to bind individuals over to keep •------* the peace. In a case which has just come before the The Protector of Emigrants declares that the. utmost Allahabad Fligh Court there bad been a series of dis­ care and supervision is bestowed upon the process of putes and litigation with regard to certain lands, and medical inspection, the cooking arrangements? the food feeling ran high.- The magistrate bound over one of and clothing, and the bathing arrangements and the the parties, and the question was whether action under latrines at the depots; and that the emigrants generally Section 107 was justified on the mere gratuitous as­ appear happy and cheerful, and are allowed the greatest sumption that, on the one thand, the. person against latitude to go away if they are disinclined after further whom a complaint was made was likely to break out consideration to emigrate. Everything, in fact, is for into physical disorder, or that, on the other hand, in­ the best in this best of worlds. 3,217 emigrants re­ asmuch as the law had provided a section and remedy, turned from Natal, 73 from Fiji, and 207 from Mauri­ it was his business to find a victim. Mi. Justice Walsh tius. Under the head of “non-regulated emigration,” observed that it was not the business of magistrates to an increase is reported in the number proceeding to the act like spiritual fathers “ whose duty it was to keep Straits Settlements, and this is attributed to the .revival the flock in control, and in the absence of anything of the demand for labour in the Malay rubber estates. better to find a scapegoat.” Unfortunately, so long as Similarly, the decrease in the arrivals from Burma and the pernicious system of the combination of judicial and the Straits Settlements is ascribed to the increased de­ executive functions continues to exist, such delusions mand for labour on good wages in those places. will flourish.

The Foundation Day anniversary of the Servants of Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. We see India Society was celebrated on June 12 at the central that the Government of the United Provinces has pro­ headquarters of the Society at Poona. Mr. V. S. Srini­ scribed under the Press Act a leaflet in English headed vasa Sastri presided, and there was a large gathering of From the office of the Director-General, Indian Revo­ members from different provinces. Three new members lution Vigilance Department, Bengal Branch, to (a) were admitted to the Society, of whom one was Rao Paymasters of Districts and Divisional Pleads; (b) The Bahadur Narayan Rao Kelkar, an elected member of the public in general. ” Legislative Council in the Central Provinces. The “ Times” of Saturday’lasfc (July 8) contained a Sir C. Sankaran Nair, the Member for Education, is double announcement of the death of Sir Edward Buck, making his first tour ^Kis. month, and is first visiting K.C.SM., who was from 1882 to 1896 secretary to the Calcutta and Dacca. Mr. Surendranath Banerjea’s re­ Government of *India in the department of Revenue and solution on the Calcutta University will no doubt occupy Agriculture. In one/part of the issue it is stated that his attention.. It is said that Indian opinion in Ben­ Sir Edward Buck, wh*o was seventy-eight years of age, gal is by.no means unanimous on Mr. Banerjea’s pro­ died at Rome, where K" had gone in the capacity of posal, and Sir Sankaran Nair will probably afford oppor­ Indian delegate to the International Institute of Agri­ tunities to the opponents of the proposal to place their culture. Elsewhere it is reported that a Simla tele­ views before him. There is also the question of the gram has brought the news of his death at that place Dacca University to be considered. The malaria prob­ lem again calls loudly for more effective measures than The death is unofficially reported from disease, while have yet been adopted. a prisoner of war at Bagdad, of Major H. J. Cotton, of the 99th Deccan Infantry. Major Cotton, who was We do not know if the statement is correct that Sir a nephew of the late Sir Henry Cotton, arrived in Stephen Sale, the legal adviser to the India Office, Mesopotamia in October, 1915, with a draft to re­ has intimated his wish to retire towards the end of the inforce another regiment, and took part in the battle year. But if so we hope the opportunity will be taken of Ctesiphon. He was subsequently with General of appointing an Indian lawyer as his successor. Townshend through the siege of Kut. July 14, 1916 12 INDIA. the Reception Committee of the Malabar District THE HEAVY HAND. Conference :— The worst aspect of this Act is the racial discrimination which N Monday last (July 10) the “ Westminster Gazette’’ it makes. I may give you an instance. The officer-in-charge of found its “ Thought for the Day” in the following ?any forests cannot possess a gun without licence, because he is Olines by Sir Rabindranath Tagore an Indian, but one of his subordinates is free to possess firearms without any licence, because he happens to be a Eurasian. Thus Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high ; the privilege enjoyed by the subordinate is denied to his superior, Where knowledge is free ; while both are equally liable to be attacked by wild beasts which Where the world has not been broken up into fragments by seem to make no such racial discrimination. narrow domestic walls; Where words come out from the depth of truth ; The Raja of Ramnad, who was the Chairman of the Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection ; Reception Committee of the Madura Provincial Con­ Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way into the ference, has also emphatically said that— dreary desert sand of de^d habit;"' Where the mind is led forward by Thee into ever-widening All invidious distinctions which are galling to the self-respect of thought and action— Indians should be abolished, and the officers entrusted with the Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake. power of issuing licences should be more liberal. The quotation was made without any sort of com­ A couple of sentences in a leading article in the mentary, and the particular purpose for which it was “ Times” of yesterday (July 13) would seem to be re­ chosen is not apparent. But those who know India markably applicable to the situation as it presents itself will be well aware of the thoughts which were in the in India. The Magyar magnates of Hungary, we are poet’s mind when he committed the lines to paper. And told, unlike the Prussian Junkers, do lip-service to just now, with public opinion deeply agitated over Liberal and constitutional doctines, but in practice they two such diverse matters as the ' ‘New India” case rigidly restrict the application of these theories to the and the controversial measure known as the Government dominant race. Naturally, therefore, as the numbers of India (Amendment) Bill, it is difficult to banish some and the national consciousness of the other races have of those thoughts. grown, they become alarmed. American opinion and, How can the mind be “ without fear” so long as the through it, British opinion has been repeatedly assured Press Act remains upon the Statute-book? Still less that there is no danger of trouble of India. The can knowledge be “ free” so long as the present restric­ latest to emphasise this^has been Maharaja Sir Pertab tions upon education remain in force. The spread of Singh. We believe the statement to be perfectly cor­ education alone can restore the “ fragments broken up rect. Indians are too sensible of the value of the by narrow domestic walls.” By its means alone can British connexion to desire to cause any sort of em­ we ensure that words shall “ come out of the depth of barrassment in a time of Imperial crisis. But there is truth.” It is a favourite commonplace with the re­ surely a corresponding obligation. If there is no cause actionary that the Indian Press possesses no sense of for anxiety in India, why cannot the Government relax responsibility and must therefore be held in leading- its heavy hand? strings. These purblind critics cannot—or is it that they will pot?—perceive the wisdom of Mr. Gladstone’s famous aphorism that liberty alone fits men for liberty. “SOME AMERICAN OPINIONS ON INDIA.” So prejudiced, moreover, are they that the shackles which they place upon the Indian journalist are regarded" NDER the title of “ Some American Opinions on by them as wholly unnecessary for the Anglo-Indian the Indian Em pire/’ Mr. T. Fisher Unwin has scribbler of a certain type whose pen is habitually Upublished a twopenny pamphlet which would appear steeped in gall. to be intended ''primarily for American consumption. There can be no denying the fact that the action For we read in the preface :— taken by the Government of Madras against Mrs. Great Britain’s methods of rule in India are fully understood Besant has profoundly stirred public opinion in India. and greatly admired by the vast majority of Americans. By the It has rallied to her side men who are ordinarily out of latter the publication of this small volume, presenting the con­ sympathy with her advanced views and with the argu­ sidered and favourable opinions of representative Americans who ments by which she enforces them. Meetings have have actual knowledge of conditions in India or have studied these and similar problems of government, will be welcomed as a been held all over the country, and the volume of pro­ striking confirmation of their own views. No case can gain by test increases daily. Mrs. Besant herself, in a recent being overstated, and it is no small advantage that in such re­ issue of “ New India,” has shown how one-sided the markable tributes of impartial critics to British fair dealing in operation of the Press Act has become. She has pub­ India the presence of overstatement can hardly be suspected. The opinions, which have been compiled from the most disinterested lished an appeal to the Viceroy which is partly a prayer sources, include those of two living ex-Presidents of the United for justice to herself and partly a protest against the States. immunity enjoyed by Anglo-Indian newspapers. The “ Madras Mail,” which has constituted itself as the Let us see by an examination of the contents how far chief apologist of Government, recently printed an these assumptions are justified. The two ex-Presidents article in which the bitter memories of 1857 were re­ are, of course, Mr. Roosevelt and Mr. Taft. Mr. called and the statement was made that the British Roosevelt’s testimony is taken from a speech delivered could not allow Indians to volunteer or to?carry arms on January 18, 1909, at an “ African Diamond Jubilee lest they should turn those arms against them. Mrs. Mass Meeting” held in a Methodist Episcopal Church Besant points out that if the Press in India had been at Washington. He describes the administration of free a wanton and offensive suggestion of that kind India by the British as the greatest feat of the kind could do no harm, because the Indian newspapers would which has been performed since the break-up of the promptly have hit back. But this they cannot do. Roman Empire. “ Unquestionably mistakes have How, then, are Indians to protect themselves against been made,” and “ it is easy enough to point out short­ these attacks upon them? comings.” He admits even that “ suffering has been The same complaint of racial discrimination underlies caused in particular cases and at particular times,” but the protests which are made" from time to time with ascribes the cause to “ well-intentioned ignorance or regard to the administration of the Arms Act itself. bad judgment” rather than to any “ moral obliquity.” The “ M ahratta” recalls the following defence of the At the same time, he holds that a “ resolute effort” has Act which was attempted by Sir Harold Stuart been made to secure fair treatment for the humble and in the course of a speech in the Madras Legislative the oppressed. No reflecting Indian will disagree, Council :— although he will certainly wonder what Mr. Roosevelt They all knew that there were defects in the Arms Act, and exactly means by his statement that “ not one penny” there was no doubt that in due course the Act would be amended. is drawn from India for English purposes. But he could say with confidence that in the administration of Mr. Taft might have been expected from his experi­ the Act the Government did endeavour to interpret its provision in ence in the Philippines to have added something of as liberal a manner as possible. value to the symposium? But the extract given from Contrast with this (says the Poona newspaper) the his address to the Toronto Empire Club on January 14, utterance of the Raja of Kollengode, the Chairman of 1914, is of the most disappointing character. Most of -

July 14, 19x6 INDIA. 1 it deals with the self-governing dominions : and the BRITISH INDIANS IN THE TRANSVAAL. small portion which is concerned with India merely alludes in vague terms of praise to the establishment o£ THE TRADING LICENCE QUESTION. what is known as the Pax Britannica. * A rapid descent is now made from the illustrious to To the Editor of “ India.” the obscure. We are not ashamed to say that we have Sir,—I have to thank you for your note 011 the position not heard before of Mr. Sherwood Eddy or the book on of Indians in the Transvaal, in the matter of obtaining ' ‘India Awakening,” which he published in 1910 : and municipal trading licences, in your issue of May 12. The Municipal Ordinance, giving municipalities the the passage provided reads so much like an official ad­ power to issue or refuse certain classes of licence, was ministration report that we cannot plead guilty to any passed in the Transvaal Provincial Council in 1913, at desire for closer acquaintance. Three extracts follow a time when the Indian community was already antici­ from American missionary year-books and comptes pating a revival of the passive resistance struggle that rendus. These are quite out of date : going back as eventually took the form of the great Indian strike in far as 1912, 1909, and even 1908. A number of indi­ Natal. It will readily be recognised that Transvaal Indians were not in a position to deal effectively with a vidual missionaries are then put into the witness-box : measure of this nature, having regard to the tremendous and here, again, the same complaint has to be made. crisis thut then faced them. The Ordinance gives to We come next to Admiral Goodrich, of the United municipalities the power tfi issue licences for occupations, States Navy. Writing to the New York “ Nation” in which foodstuffs are sold, and the municipalities from Bombay, on May 18, 1911, this officer observes: have the power to refuse to grant such licences to Every American must wish that Indians may, sooner or later, applicants on the ground that the applicants are un­ enjoy real self-government, although the failure of true republics desirable persons to receive these. Provision is also within the tropics should make him doubtful of immediate^success. made for appeal to the local magistrate, who, how­ ever, . sits not in a judicial but in an administrative Why should Admiral Goodrich confine hfe outlook to capacity. It has already been decided by the Supreme “ true republics within the tropics” ? Who are the real Court. that no appeal lies against the decision of a rulers of the United States under a professedly demo­ municipality to refuse a licence that it is entitled to issue cratic system of government :ethe political “ bosses ” if it can be shown that the application was considered, and the plutocrats, or the • congeries of people ” (to and that the licence was refused on the ground that the use the Admiral’s own phrase) which divides itself so applicant was not, in its opinion, a fit and proper person to receive one. Therefore, the question as to whether the obediently into Democrats and Republicans at their applicant was, in fact, a fit and proper person cannot bidding? come before the magistrate, unless, of course, gross It is absurd, too, as well as mischievous, we suggest, irregularity or bias be proved, which, in the nature of to defend the aloofness of British officials by picturing things, is. a practical impossibility. A further Supreme the educated Indian as a man who “ looks upon them as Court decision holds that, from the magistrate’s decision, unclean, their very touch pollution, who cannot eat with no appeal lies to that Court, and that such decision is therefore final. them, who regards their wives and dau^hte^ as lost to Two grave anomalies have occurred finder the present all shame, and characterises them in words that may administration of the Ordinance, It has been held that not be translated.” The statement is as stupidly false a Multani pedlar, who sells silk-stuffs and fancy goods as the other that the cry of “ India for the Hindus” .alone, may justly be refused a licence on the ground does not mean “ individual freedom, the equality of all, that, though he confines himself to such sales, the issue the opening of all avenues of progress to all natives of to him of a pedlar’s licence will enable him to sell food­ every creed, race, and caste indifferently,” but that it stuffs, and that therefore a pedlar’s licence is a food licence. Again, although in certain cases an Indian denotes “ the handing over to the Hinclus of the reins storekeeper has been held to be a fit and proper person of government that they may rule in their own fashion, to hold a grocer’s licence for one of his stores, he has been the upper castes having all offices, handling all public refused a further grocer’s licence for another store, on moneys, dispensing their ancient substitute for the ground that he is not a fit and proper person to hold justice.” such a licence. I make no attempt to reconcile these The amazing Admiral is followed by Mr. James peculiarly Colonial contradictions. The net effect of these decisions is to prevent any new Mascarene Habbard, who appears to have written on licences being issued in any of the countiy towns of the “ The English in India” in the “ Atlantic Monthly” for Transvaal, where foodstuffs can be sold, even to Indians June, 1908. “ Indians also hold commissions in the who are born in South Africa. The Municipality of British Army,” says this panegyrist. By the side of Roodepoort, however, has gone further. Acting upon a this miracle of accuracy such authoritative expositions decision that an application for a licence for the sale of as those of Mr. Theodore H. Boggs and Miss Winifred foodstuffs has to be made each year, it has declared that the renewal of these licences is, in fact, the granting of Heaton, of Kolhapur, fade into insignificance. But a a new licence each year, and it has, in a number of word must be kept for the Rev. J. P. Jones, who, being cases, refused to renew the licences of a number of Indians a missionary of the Christian gospel in India, writes who have been trading in that municipality for many thus of the people among whom he labours :— years. Recently it has reconsidered its action and has T!he way the Brahman and the higher Sudras, who are clamour­ renewed the licences, but the potentialities of the ing for what they regard as God-given - rights from the British situation have been tried beyond a doubt, and unfortu­ Government, deny in principle and practice to their fellow-citizens, nately there is no legal redress should Transvaal the so-called outcasts and other members of the community, the municipalities refuse to renew existing licences. most elementary principle of liberty and privilege which they The result will be to deprive Indiqjis in this province of themselves here enjoy, is a significant comment upon their political one of the most lucrative branches of their business in sanity and sense of congruity. which they have invested large sums of money, and to “ Even the most rabid Hindu,” continues this Chris­ ruin those who are established in the country towns, tian missionary, “ cannot dream that India is ripe for where it is impossible to carry on the business of general dealers or hawkers apaTt from the sale of foodstuffs. self-government, and could maintain it for a month if This legislation, if rigorously enforced, will deprive the British were to leave the country.” Transvaal" Indians of what;is practically their only means This pamphlet has been issued with the best of inten­ of livelihood, and the only possible consequence will be tions : but, in view of the language displayed by some of their disappearance from this province. Steps are being those whose opinions it embodies, the writer of the pre­ taken here, by representation to the local administration face will be well advised, if a second edition is ever and to the Union Government, to prevent this catastrophe, but every possible help will be needed by called for, to modify his extravagant assertion that agitation 011 your side and in India, and I venture to “the presence of overstatement can hardly be sus­ hope that you and other friends in England will use your pected.” utmost endeavours to protect this community, in spite of the many other claims upon your energies. It is anticipated (writes the “ Indian Planters’ Henry S. L. Poi,ak. Gazette,” of all papers in the world) that before many P.O. Box 6522, Johannesburg, June 14. months are past a Bengali regiment is likely to come [Mr. Polak may rest assured that the grievance of which into the realm of “ practical politics.” Lord Chelms­ he complains will receive every attention in India. The ford, if he sanctioned such a step, “ would at once whole question was discussed at length in an article endear himself to Bengal more than any other Viceroy entitled “The Right to Live,” which appeared in our has ever been able to do. ” issue of June 23.—Ed. India.] < / x4 INDIA. July 14, 191©

MISMANAGEMENT IN MESOPOTAMIA. INDIA AND THE WAR. A FORGOTTEN FORCE. * AN INTERVIEW WITH SIR PERTAB SINGH. The absorbing interest of the great battles on, the Maharaja Sir Pertab Singh of Jodhpur was Captured Somme and at Verdun, and of the Russian offensives, by an American interviewer when he came over to should not lead us to forget that we have a large force London from France in order to attend the memorial of British and Indian troops grilling on the plains of service to Lord Kitchener. The following is the result, the Tigris at the worst season of the year. Sometimes as published in the “ New York Sun ” : — we think that the existence of the unfortunate Meso­ “ I hope,” said the Maharaja, “ that the time is soon potamian Expedition is almost overlooked in these coming when at the head of my men I will die fighting. stirring times by those in authority. Streams of com­ That is how every Rajput wants to die. If I die fighting plaints continue to reach us from the troops themselves, I go straight to God. If I die in bed with a doctor from their relatives at home, from correspondents in looking on I take a long time.to get to God. I have not India, and from persons who have returned to this coun­ yet had my chance, but soon I hope to charge the try from ?hecTigris, regarding the condition of the force Germans at the head of my Lancers and die for the King- and its frequent lack of necessaries. Both the quality Emperor.” His Highness has been, fighting since lie and the quantity of the provision^ are bitterly con­ could handle a sword. In appearance he is short, stocky, demned. The men would put up with rations of any sort but as erect as a ramrod, and shows no signs of his if they got them regularly in sufficient bulk, but we gather seventy years. He is as active as* a man of forty, and that the work of the commissariat on the Tigris is as a horseman he has for years been the admiration of uncertain and irregular, and we receive frequent allega­ all who have known him in India.' tions of scanty food. There has been a good deal of His Highness has a soft spot in his heart for Americans sickness, which in such a climate might have been fore­ and America. “ During the campaign in China,” he told seen; yet the medical equipment of the Expedition is the co?respondent, “ we ^treated the Russians as still believed, to be insufficient. At the back of all the Russians, the Germans as Germans, and the Japanese other shortcomings lies the inadequacy of the transport as Japanese, but when American officers came into our on a river which must now be falling. Failure of the mess they were not foreigners, but were received and transport arrangements is at the root of all our difficulties treated as our English brothers, Those were the orders.” in Mesopotamia, and there is absolutely no excuse for the Asked what were the feelings of the ruling Princes in want of foresight which was shown. India towards the war, Sir Pertab said : “ Every chief The whole subject of the Mesopotamian Expedition in India would serve as a private soldier without pay calls for searching enquiry of a kind which the Govern­ and without rank. All his subjects look to their chief ment seem peculiarly reluctant to face. More light as second God, and all chiefs look to the King-Emperor ought to be thrown upon its inception, the unwarrantable as second God, not first God, second God, and if His enlargement of its objects, the obscurities of the de­ Majesty needs their services they would serve him even cision to advance from Kut to Bagdad, the mishandling in the ranks if necessary. And they would send not only of the relief columns, the deplorable failure to save themselves but their sons.” General Townshend, and the continued use of the force. Just then>wo“handsome boys in khaki came into the ~ The Government do not appear to have made up their room and were introduced. They were Sir Pertab’s two minds about what they hope to achieve in Mesopotamia sons, Sagat Singh, fourteen, and Hanont Singh, fifteen any more than they made up their minds about the years of age. “ They are very young to be fighting,” Dardanelles. They have promised again and again to pobserved the journalist. “ The Prince of Wales is publish papers clearing up the mystery of General fighting. He is not so very much older. Why should Townshend’s ill-fated march to Ctesiphon. Week , after not my sons fight, as the son of the King-Emperor and week goes by and the papers do not appear, though the my future King-Emperor fights? ” quickly retorted the military objections mentioned yesterday by Lord Crewe Maharaja. o might surely have been settled long ago. His Highness has been disappointed up to now that Even" the flow of conventional information through the war has not given the Lancers an opportunity to despatches has ceased. It is now common knowledge charge. “ But the Indian troops have done well,” he that Kut might have been relieved, and ought to have said. “ Unused to trench warfare, nevertheless they have been'relieved, on March 8, when General Aylmer’s force proved "their worth in infantry fighting, and over a found itself at daybreak on an unopposed front two or hundred of my own clan in the Poona Horse of the three hours’ march from the beleaguered town. No Regular Indian Army, of which I am honorary Colonel, despatches regarding the doings of the relief column have given their lives. But we are all looking for the since January 17 have been published. It was stated in great day when we Rajputs can charge, and that I may the House of Commons on Monday (July 10) that these have my wish of going to my God as a Rajput fighting despatches, and especially those relating to “the action at the head of my men. Let it be soon! ” fought under General Aylmer on March 8,” have not Reverting to conditions in India, Sir Pertab waxed yet reached the War Office. Many weeks have passed indignant at the -storiesi of sedition and impending revo^ since General Aylmer was transferred from Mesopotamia lution so assiduously circulated. “ I am told,” he said, to the finest divisional command in India, and we think “ that in America people think there is great discontent the demand for further intelligence is not unreasonable. and disloyalty in India. That is untrue. Only low We trust that the despatch, when it comes, will deal caste people, who have no responsibility, preach more frankly with the official suggestion that the troops sedition. Chiefs have a stake in the country. They were compelled to withdraw from Es-Sinn through lack belong to the land. They are bound to the soil. They of water. The right way to water was the way to Kut, inherit the land from their fathers, and their sons look and when the force turned it had, in fact, to face a long to them to hand on what they have inherited. Under and waterless march. There are many other phases the British Government they are secure and prosperous. of these military operations about which -the truth has So the chiefs. are loyal and fight for the King. No; still to be told, not excepting the actions fought early in there is no danger of trouble in India.” January. We shall not endeavour here to apportion blame for By W ay ok Commentary. the terrible muddle of Mesopotamia, but will point out For some time past (writes the “ Manchester considerations which must be remembered in examining Guardian ”) very littl’e has been heard-of the work of the the question. The whole trouble began when it was various Indian contingents, although we know that they unwisely decided to advance beyond the deltaic region are serving gallantly in nearly all the theatres of war. at the head of the Persian Gulf, and the confusion was A few days ago Mr. Austen Chamberlain, referring to rapidly accentuated after the rash determination to i the fact that Indian troops had fought by the side 61 attempt the capture of Bagdad. The Army of India had/ those of the British Dominions from France to Mesopo­ been primarily organised for frontier defence, and it had tamia, said that a full share of the honours of the field already been heavily drawn upon for the campaigns in had fallen to them. The Victoria Cross had been won Europe and elsewhere. When Turkey entered the war in seven cases by Indians, while over 1,300. other new demands were made to which the Indian organisa­ decorations had gone to the Indian army» tion soon proved unequal; and the decision to essay the If further evidence wTere needed of the spirit in which conquest of Mesopotamia with a fragment of the Indian the Indian soldier is playing his part, we have it in the Army was as unwise a resolve as was ever reached by highly characteristic interview which Maharaja Sir soldiers and statesmen. Only the papers which are still Pertab Singh of Jodhpur has just given to a’ corre­ denied us can show the relative responsibility resting spondent of the “ New York Sun.” The veteran chief, upon the Home Government, upon the Commander-in- who on the occasion of the King’s birthday last 1*1011th ; Chi ef in India (Sir Beauchamp Duff) , and upon the was raised to the rank of honorary lieutenant-general, General then 011 the spot, Sir John Nixon, in matters of has his own heightened and telling way of expressing broad policy.—“ Times.” (July 12.) the true Rajput’s joy in battle, and certainly he has been July 14, 1916 INDIA. 15 able to ensure for himself a sufficiency of experience in India hold only a minute proportion of the country’s warfare on the Indian frontier and in the Far Fast as wealth, the money would perforce be raised from among well as on the European front. “ Every chief in India,” the wealthier Indians, but where money matters are con­ says the Maharaja, “ would serve as a pr^ate soldief cerned they are a difficult set of people to deal with. without pay and without rank ”—a sentiment which, we However, the matter is virtually disposed of now by the may be sure, would have sounded like a mere absurdity Government’s issue of particulars of a new four cent, if the security of the Native States to-day were not the conversion loan of six crores of rupees (^4,000,000) for standing proof of the wisdom which inspired the settle­ general purposes. The interesting feature is the provision ment of India after the Mutiny. by which old 3^ per cent, or 3 per cent, loan 'may be Sir Pertab’s emphatic statement as to the internal converted to the new issue at the rate of Rs. 96 of the condition of the country is avowedly meant to dispose new loan for each Rs. 100 of 3 per cAit. securities. With of the stories of disaffection which continue to be spread this, issue 011 the market the prospect of a special war over the neutral world. It is only, he says, people who loan is now of course practically nil. have 110 responsibility and no stake in the country who preach sedition; “ there is no danger of trouble in India.” That declaration is satisfactory in itself; and it is THE “ NEW WAY TO INDIA.” happily borne out in several useful contributions made ft to the American Press during the past few weeks by one A PAN-GER’MAN DREAM. of the most widely known of Indian reformers, Mr. • \ ------Taj pat Rai, who is now in the United States. Roumania, by declining the Austro-German invitation to the Danube Conference, has spoilt a Pan-German dream of “ the new way to India.” “ The new way ” is INDIAN WAR FINANCE. to be mainly a waterway with a railway link. The rail­ way is to be the Bagdad Railway, the water section is to THE QUESTION OF. A SPECIAL LOAN. begin at Antwerp and will consist of the Rhine, a Rhine- • Danube ship canal, the Black Sea, the Tigris and Shatt- There has been from time to time in India since the el-Arab, and the Persian Gulf. The “ Danube Con­ beginning of the war a certain amount of agitation on the ference,” which the Roumanian Government refuses to question of the country’s contribution to the Empire’s have anything to do with, is to take place at Vienna, financial effort (writes the Botnbay correspondent of the and the burgomasters of all German, Austrian, and “ Birmingham Daily Post,4’ under date of June 9). It Hungarian towns on the Danube have been summoned is argued by a small but active party that what has to attend. The business of the Conference is to be the already been done is good, but not good enough, and that linking-up of the North Sea and the Black Sea by a if India were asked to lend money for the war through system of canals and waterways navigable by vessels of1 the medium of a special war loan it would be heartily large tonnage. That would link up tlfe Rhine, Elbe, supported. Oder, Vistula, and Danube into a giant network. At first sight there seems something rather odd in the Some weeks ago an enthusiastic article appeared on spectacle of this wealthy country being apparently alone the subject in ’the semi-official Berlin “ Lokalanzeiger.” among the Dominions in making no special war con­ The “ new way to India ” was compared in importance tribution. Canada, Australia, South A frica^ew Zealand with Vasco di Gama’s discovery of the route round the have all done their part, and done it well. Why, then, Cape of Good Hope and with the opening of the Suez should not India, with its 315,000,000 loyal subjects, be Canal route forty-seven years ago. Theoretically (ex­ given a chance to add to the monetary resource which is claimed the writer) the route from the North Sea to the helping to crush the Germans? The particular centre of* Persian Gulf was already free. All thaLwas needed was this propaganda is Karachi, where the Hon. M. P. de for the concentration of events signified under the names Webb, a member of the Bombay Legislative Council, has of Antwerp, Belgrade, Gallipoli, Kut-el-Amara to work for months been busily trying to thrash public opinion itself out. Gibraltar, Malta, and Suez would be strong­ into some semblance of interest on the question. He has holds without a purpose and out of date. “ The organised a War League, and publishes a journal devoted thousandfold fruit of German industry will spe^i down to the principles of that organisation, in the pages of the Danube to the distant East without the eye of a which periodical the suggested war loan is always single spying enemy being able to count the ships.” hovering. " . Also, “ a mighty navy of the Danube Powers ”— Mr. de Webb is not without support, and he advocates Roumania, it will be seen, was thus “ semi-officially ” his cause in season and out of season with a vigour and included—would hold command of the Black Sea. Some pertinacity which recognise no rebuff. The Government day perhaps a Black Sea-Euphrates canal might be of India is, however, heavily against him. The last made.—“ Manchester Guardian.” official pronouncement on this subject was by Sir William Meyer, the Financial Member of the Viceroy’s Council, who pointed out that it was erroneous to say that India’s OVERCROWDED JAILS IN BENGAL. assistance to Great Britain was limited to the gifts of the chiefs and to occasional investments in British war The Government resolution 011 jail administration in loans. India had helped liberally by sending her troops the Bengal Presidency for the year 1915 discloses a very to fight for the Empire, and she was maintaining them grave state of affairs. The outstanding fact is the extra­ herself. In addition there was substantial aid in the ordinary increase in the number of prisoners in all jails. matter of munitions. The idea of an Indian war loan The admissions rose from 69,204 in 1914 to 81,801, repre­ he absolutely scouted. As he remarked, the financial senting an increase of nearly 18 per cent., and the daily position of this country is undoubtedly peculiar. The population averaged 14,473 as against 12,496. The result, Government have in the past largely depended on as the resolution says, was that “ nearly all the jails borrowings from London for large financial operations. were in consequence seriously overcrowded at various In view of the tremendous absorptions by the British war times,” and ihe reason is thjus stated : loans and monetary aid for our Allies, that source is now The increase in the jail population is probably due, at any rate practically closed, and the Government of India must look in part, to special causes which will cease to operate when normal to sources within its own borders for the furtherance of conditions are restored. It is clear, however, that additional jail its many productive works; and, even so, the programme accommodation is required, and will have to be provided when will have to be considerably curtailed. . funds are available. • It might be contended that productive work could stand over for a while if a large sum of money could be lent Whatever the causes of this increase, it was obviously for war purposes. But there is the further difficulty that the duty of the authorities to see that the evil effects of India’s lending capacity, in spite of the country’s wealth, the overcrowding were reduced to a minimum. That this is very limited. A matter of a few millions would be of- duty was not adequately performed is evident from the no great value to the Imperial Government, and it might fact that the daily average number of prisoners in hos­ seriously upset Indian domestic finance. Another funda­ pitals increased from 582 in the previoiis year to 765, or mental difficulty is that the Indian investor would be by about 30 per cent. There was, again, a serious out­ tempted to taka up war loan only by a high rate of interest. break of dysentery at two important jails. The only re­ Five per cent, is suggested, but not improbably six would deeming feature about the statement of these facts is. the have to be offered before much result was achieved. candid criticism by the Government of the shoitcomings The consequence of this would be that all Indian of the staff of the jails .concerned. The absence of ex­ municipal, port trust, railway, and other “ gilt-edged ” perienced jail superintendents temporarily recalled to securities would suffer depreciation, which certainly would military duty no doubt considerably contributed to pro­ not help to popularise the W&r loan or the war. Such a duce unsatisfactory conditions, but this is a cause of high rate of interest, too, would have to be met by complaint not confined to Bengal. additional and rather heavy taxes, and the Indian popula­ The. death-rate among prisoners was 20.6 per mi lie, or tion would certainly not care for that. Since Europeans in one per mille less than in 1914. The penalty of whipping 16 INDIA. July 14, 1916 was inflicted in 48 cases as compared with 60 in the tion, ardent suffragettes. He noticed two Indian ladies previous, year. there present who never missed a procession of the suffra­ Similar Conditions in the; Punjab. gettes. That was a very hopeful sign, and would, he Cas convinced, bear abundant fruit in proper time. India The report from the Punjab is equally unsatisfactory. was a very nig country, with a population of, in round We read that the number of prisoners admitted into jails figures, 315,000,000, against Canada’s 6,000,000 and Aus­ rose during the year 1915 by more than 10,000, and the tralia’s 4,000,000. Its great population was made up of average daily population by nearly 2,000. With admis­ the followers of a few especial religious faiths. The sions' exceeding 50,000 and a daily population of nearly dominant faith in India was Hinduism, whose followers 17,000 prisoners “it would not have been shrprising if numbered over 200,000,000. Next in numbers came the there had been soni£ falling off in the standard of followers of Islam, known as Mahomedans, and who efficiency.” Existing jails are designed to hold 14,729 numbered about 70,000,000. Then there were representa­ prisoners, but the average number-to be provided for tives of other religions, such as Christians, and there throughout the year was nearly 2,000 in excess of that was a large number of Buddhists. Also, there was one figure. The situation was to some extent met by con­ small community, very small in number, but with regard fining prisoners at night in tents and workshops. to education, social position, and enterprise second to The number of prisoners admitted to hospital rose from none in India. He referred, of course, to the Parsees. 9,119 to 12,301, and the average number of sick from The Hindus were the original settlers in the country; 486 to 661. This appears to have been mainly ^due to they had been there, not for 200 or 300 years, but for the unhealthiness of the summer, caused by the'Tailure 4,000 years, and Hindu civilisation was perhaps the oldest of the monsoon rains, but in "the case of the jails at civilisation in the world. There had been others, such Rawalpindi and Jhang temporary and unavoidable over­ as Egypt, Assyria, Greece, Rome, and Babylon, but they crowding is said to have been a contributing cause. were all dead; whilst the Hindu civilisation had survived The number of under-trial prisoners admitted during all centuries and was as living now as it was 4,000 years the year reached the unprecedentedly high figure of ago. It had undergone changes, but there was the fact 25,530, or 7,187 more than in the previous year. This that Hinllu civilisation had Survived all the* vicissitudes is accounted for by the conspiracy cases in the Central of time and all the invasions that had come upon India 4 Punjab and the outbreak of dacoity in the south-western Why was that ? It was because there were great spiritual districts, where, over 4,000 under-trial prisoners had to ideals which were dear not only to the Hindus but had in­ be provided for in the early summer months. I11 spite fluenced the minds and thoughts of people in every part of the creation of two Special Tribunals, the pressure of the world. Hindus had always been spiritually great. of work 011 the ordinary criminal courts was severe,, and They had devoted more time and attention to the study in the circumstances it is no matter for surprise that of the unseen and to the great problem of spiritual life the average period of detention rose from 23 (the 1913 than perhaps had any other nation in the world. Their figure) to 25 days. ideals as regarded women were very high, although at present they were not only not followed, but were in some cases deliberately disobeyed and disregarded. In olden days the wives of great sages in India discussed THE DOMINIONS WOMAN SUFFRAGE UNION. on equal terms with their husbands the most abstruse problems. ^HTndfi ladies had written books on mathe­ AN EVENING CONFERENCE ON INDIA. matics and other subjects. The seclusion of women which was observed in some parts of India to-day had (Special R eport for “ I ndia.”) come with^some invaders from the West, and in some The second biennial conference of the British instances had been aggravated by the insecure state of Dominions Woman Suffrage Union was held on Thurs­ the country. In Madras and Bombay there was little day evening (July 6), at the Central Hall, West­ seclusion of women, and they went about just as freely minster, under the presidency of Lady Muir Mackenzie, as they did in this country. A very unique and typical when a discussion took place on the subject of India. example of the great freedom enjoyed by women in India The speeches were followed with much interest by an was to be found on the Western Coast in Malabar. There appreciative audience which included a number of Indian the matriarchal system prevailed. The woman was the ladies. head of the family, and it was her children, and not the Lady Muir Mackenzie;. husband’s, children, who succeeded to the inheritance. In opening the proceedings, Lady Muir Mackenzie; There the women were perfectly free; there was no expressed her pleasure with the fact that the British regular system of marriage, but the union between man Dominions Woman Suffrage Union were taking an in­ and woman was almost permanent, although it could be terest iii India. As one who had lived in India for eight put an end to by either party at any time. Hindu women years, she had the utmost desire to help the men and would deny themselves anything in order to be of service women of that country. To do that it was necessary to to their relatives and friends. There were certainly a good approach the subject with sympathy and understanding. many defects to which no one ought to be blind, but he Their thoughts went especially to India in consequence wanted to emphasise the fact that Indian men and women of what Indians had done and were doing in connexion —especially women—

T he Punjab and Central P rovinces. consideration to the claims of an Indian industry, but I cannot too strongly impress upon my hon. friend, and through him on all At Jullundur is a school for girls—the Kanya Maha concerned, that the planters themselves must co-operate to ensure Vidyalaya—the ideal of which is social reform and more scientific cultivation, better preparation for the market and educational religious training. Instruction is given in better marketing arrangements if durable results are to be secured. the vernacular, English being optional. The same organisation supports a Widows’ Home, where the in­ POSTAL RATES TO MESOPOTAMIA., mates are trained to be self-supporting. Several branches Sir Henry Craik asked the Postmaster-General whether the are to be found in other centres in the Punjab. postal rates of letters and parcels for the forces in Mesopotamia At Lahore the Women’s Section of the Society for Pro­ had been increased. moting Scientific Knowledge holds classes for women, Mr. Pike Pease : The postage rates for parcels sent from the dealing with, such subjects as home nursing and the rear­ United Kingdom^ to the Indian troops forming part of the Meso­ ing of children. Lantern lectures are given to children, potamian Expeditionary Force have been recently assimilated to those which have always been in force for the rest of the Mesopo­ the whole of the instruction being in the vernacular. tamian Expeditionary Force, namely, is., 2s., and 3s. for parcels Hospitals and other institutions are "visited, and infants’ weighing 3 lb., 7.1b., and 11 lb. respectively. There have been welcome classes have been formed. no other changes in rates of postage. At Amraoti, in Berar, a High School for Girls is being carried on by private effort. Thursday, July 6. Public Meetings and Addresses. In addition to the societies" and organisations for the HOUSE OF COMMONS. promotion of the education of womeivFof which an "account INDIAN INDENTURED LABOUR IN THE COLONIES. has been given, the following public meetings have been Sir John Jardine asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies convened by women in order to stimulate the interest of whether imprisonment of Indian labourers had been abolished in the Government of India in the cause : the Fiji Colony, and whether any similar action was being taken The women of Bombay held a public meeting at the end by the Governments of Jamaica, British Guiana, Trinidad, or any of December to adopt a memorial to the Viceroy. A meet­ other colonies. ing of Indian women of the Punjab was held at Lahore Mr. Bonar Law : Imprisonment as a punishment for offences in January to consider the present condition of women’s against The laws relating to Tndian immigration has been education and to suggest means for improvement. The abolished in Fiji, and the Governors of the three West Indian Nawab Begum of Janjira presided over a Moslem Ladies’ Colonies have under consideration a similar amendment of the Conference which was held at Meerut for the discussion laws of their Colonies. of the home education for children. At a meeting of ladies held in Calcutta on April 22, it was resolved to help to Monday, July 10. supply the want of trained women teachers in the pro­ HOUSE OF COMMONS. posed high schools and training colleges by selecting a suitable candidate and bearing the expenses of her pas­ RAILWAYS IN SOUTHERN PERSIA. sage to England. Colonel Yate asked the Under Secretary for Foreign Affairs The whole question of the education of women was taken why, considering that the Russian railway from Julfa to Tabreez, in the North of Persia, had been completed despite the war and as the subject of his address by the President of the Indian disturbed local conditions, no progress had been made with the Social Conference which was held at Bombay in Christmas British concession for the Mohammerah-Khoramabad railway in week in connexion with the Indian National Congress. South Persia

Tuesday, July 11. Impmal ^adtamntl. HOUSE OF LORDS. THE MESOPOTAMIA PAPERS. SPECIAL REPORT FOR "INDIA" OF ALL PARLIAMENTARY Viscount Midleton asked the Lord President of the Council PROCEEDINGS RELATING TO INDIA. when the papers relating to Mesopotamia would he published. The Marquess of Crewe said that he was given to understand Wednesday, July 5. that further examination of the papers which it was proposed to publish had led to the belief that the military objections to cer­ HOUSE OF COMMONS. tain portions which had been put forward for publication were TEA EXPORT DUTY IN TRAVANCOKE. stronger than were at first supposed, and he understood that the Sir J. D. Rees asked the Secretary of State for India whether delay was due to that cause only. He would communicate further the Government of India had arrived at any conclusion regarding with the India Office to see if they could state the date when the the levy of double export duty upon tea planters in Travancore. papers would be published. Mr. Chamberlain: I have ascertained that negotiations are in progress with the Travancore State fo? remedying the grievance of which the planters complain. t HOUSE OF COMMONS. „ THE MEDICAL- SERVICES IN MESOPOTAMIA. THE CULTIVATION OF NATURAI? INDIGO IN INDIA. Colonel Yate asked the Secretary of State for India from-what Sir J. D. Rees asked the Secretary of State for India whether dates prior to June, 1915, Surgeon-General Sir William Bab tie the Government of India and the provincial Governments were was absent from his appointment as Director of Medical Services able to guarantee that natural indigo should not again be in India; .where was he employed during that time; and who swamped by German synthetic indigo after the w ar; and whether was the officer responsible in regard to the medical provision for great increase in production was assured if such guarantee'could the expedition to Mesopotamia during his absence... be given. Mr. Chamberlain : Surgeon-General Sir William Babtie left Mr. Chamberlain : My hon. friend, as in duty bound, attributes India for Egypt on February 6 and returned on March 19. He unlimited power to the Government of India, but this power is, in was deputed to Egypt at the instance of the War Office to report fact, limited to their own sphere of action. The future of natural on the Indian medical arrangements there. During his absence indigo depends mainly upon two factors—improvements in the the routine duties of the office were carried on by the Deputy- methods of cultivation and of preparation of the dye for the Director of Medical Services.' The Government of India report market, and a settled and secured demand. The former may help that the latter dealt with no questions of policy. to secure the latter, and the Government of India are doing all in their power to stimulate and assist the planters to place the RAW COTTON EXPORTS FROM INDIA. industry on a sound commercial basis. I have already communi­ Sir George Toulmin asked" the Secretary of State for India cated with the other Departments of the Home Government which what were the exports of raw cotton from India during the last use indigo. I hope that after the war they will give favourable pre-war year and the principal purchasing countries; what were July 14, 1916 INDIA. 19 the exports in tihe most recent recorded period and the purchasing, Serious Statements. countries; and what endeavours were being made to secure the The Duke of Somerset said he had that morning had the growth in India of cotton of a staple suitable for Lancashire mills. opportunity of reading three or four letters from officers who had Mr. Chamberlain : Efforts are being made to increase the culti­ been serving in Mesopotamia. The cruelties our men had suffered vation of long stapled cotton where this is possible, and I shall through the utter incompetence of the authorities in India and be glad to place at the disposal of the hon. member papers shew­ here was simply too disgraceful. They all knew what our men ing what is being done. The exports of raw cotton from British had suffered when taken prisoners by the Germans— Germans India in* 1913-14 and 1915-16 were as follows, the year in each were savages and nothing else was to be expected from them— case ending on March 31 :— but our men had suffered even worse from the way things had 1913-14 1915-16 been mismanaged in Mesopotamia. In one case a thousand Cwts. Cwts. wounded soldiers were sent down in a ship with only one medical United Kingdom 384,914 823,502 officer and one orderly to look after them. They were all mixed Germany 1,688,070 .. Nil up together, officers, men, and native #ien with dysentery and- Belgium ...... 1,133,083 .. Nil men with shattered limbs, and there was not a drop of morphia France 524,264 ., 203,707 or a bit of chloroform, in the whole ship. One officer neVer had Spain 166,933 .. 237,061 his wound dressed' from the time he was picked up until he got Italy 848,576 .. . 1,097,138 to Bombay. It was the most disgraceful thing he had ever read. Austria-Hungary 747,041 .. Nil Who was to blame? God knew. There must be somebody to China ... 194,288 .. 381,074 blame here, and he thought the officer in command of the troops Japan 4,817,560 .. • 5,9i3,98i in India was also terribly to blame. * * Other Countries 121,583 ., 149,853 The Marquess of Crewe sSid that since the subject was last before t^ie House he ,lmd been in consultation with in ore than one of his colleagues in regard t,o it. He thanked Lord Midleton for Wednesday, July 12. acquitting him of any desire for or toleration of undue procrastina­ HOUSE OF COMMONS. tion and delay in this most important matter. It was evident from THE CAMPAIGN IN MESOPOTAMIA. the remarks made by the Duke of Somerset that feeling was deeply stirred by ; what had happened. The only announcement Colonel Aubrey Herbert asked the Prime Minister whether he he could make was that as a result of his conversation with his would give a day for the discussion of the conduct of the cam­ colleagues, the Prime Minister in the House of Commons, and he paign in Mesopotamia. « • in the House of Lords, would make a statement on Mesopotamia Mr. Asquiti-i : I do not think that the present moment is and also on the Dardanelles. He noted tihe point as.to the possi­ opportune for such a discussion, but I will, of course, bear my bility of drawing a distinction between papers dealing with military hon. friend’s question in mind. operations which it might be regarded as dangerous to publish, Sir Edward Carson : May I ask the right hon. gentleman is more especially in cases where operations in the neighbourhood this House and the country neve* to get, from time to time, any were not entirely concluded, and papers dealing with supplies, kind of reports of what is g^ing on in Mesopotamia? (Hear, transport, and medical services. He would enquire whether it hear.) May I also ask if these reports are being purposely kept was possible to draw such a distinction. back, and whether the right hon. gentleman does not know that there is amongst a considerable portion of people, who have had The Marquess of Salisbury thought it right to say that even communications from that country, the very gravest anxiety as if papers were presented he could hold out no* hope that debate to the negligence that has taken place in reference to the whole, would be avoided. Public feeling had been roused to such an of the operations in Mesopotamia? (Hear, hear.) extent that debate was inevitable. The speech of the Duke of Somerset showed the things that were being said all over the Sir Arthur Markham : Worse than the Dardanelles ! country. One of the circumstances took place not later than Mr. Asquith: There is no desire, 1 need hardly say, to keep back anything. (Hon. Members: “ Oh, uh lii^ W h y should May 7. So it was not old history, but a continuing evil. Those there be? The House is entitled to have, andi^hope it will things might turn out to be untrue; but they would continue to have, the fullest possible information given to it. No one is more be said until there was a full statement from th£ Government., and if they were true serious measures would have to be dealt desirous than the Government— (Hon. Members: “ O h !” )— that the matter should be thoroughly discussed, but I c?o not think out to those responsible and steps taken to secure that they should not recur. this is a particularly opportune moment for it. (Hon. Members “ W hy?” ) For reasons which I cannot properly disclose. The other suggestion that we are burking the matter, or desire to HOUSE OF. COMMONS. avoid discussion, is entirely unfounded. In regard to what Sir Edward Carson has said as to the condition of the troops in THE DARDANELLES AND MESOPOTAMIA. Mesopotamia, that is a matter which is engaging our daily atten­ Sir Henry Dalziel asked the Prime Minister whether 4ie could tion, and most careful steps are being taken to remedy the defects see his way ter inform bile House of the reason for the delay in which have been proved to exist and to supply immediate neces­ the publication of the Dardanelles Papers, in regard to which a sities. No one is more alive to the need- of doing, that than is definite pledge had been given to the House; whether the papers His Majesty’s Government itself, but 1 do not think the present in question were fully examined before such pledge was given and the proper moment for discussion. all necessary authorities consulted; and whether he could now Sir Edward C arson : I shall put a^question to the right hon. undertake that the publication would take place before the House gentleman early next week, and, in the event of not getting a adjourned for the summer recess. satisfactory answer, I shall ask leave to move the adjournment Sir Edward Carson had a question on the paper in similar, of the House. (Cheers.) terms. Sir Henry Dalziel : Will the right hon. gentleman be good Mr, Bonar Law (who replied) said: The Prime Minister has enough to see whether it would not be possible to give the asked me to say that he will make a full statement on these and additional papers promised as early as. possible? the Mesopotamian questions on Tuesday next. Mr. Asquith : I will deal with that to-morrow. Sir Edward Carson : Will the House have an opportunity of Colonel Aubrey Herbert : May I ask if the right hon. gentleman discussing the. statement? (Hear, hear.) What we really want does not consider that it would be in the national interest now is opportunity for discussion in the House. We never get it. to fix the responsibility for the economy that has governed and (Hear, hear.) hampered the whole of the Mesopotamia campaign from its Mr. Bonar Law : I shall put the representation of my right- initiation until a few months ago upon individuals? hon, friend to the Prime Minister, and’T am quite sure that if the The Speaker : That is the same question as has already been House desires to discuss the statement an opportunity will be asked. given. Sir Henry Dalziel : May I ask the right hon. gentleman whether his position is exactly the same as when! he said, six Thursday, July 13. weeks ago, that, the Dardanelles papers, could now be published with due regard to the public interest, as the book was now HOUSE OF LORDS. closed? THE CAMPAIGN IN MESOPOTAMIA. Mr. Bonar L aw : So far as 1 know, my position is exactly the" • • On the motion of the adjournment of the House, same as it was th

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