SEDITION IN INDIA.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 900, 20 August 1910, Page 5

SEDITION IN INDIA.

• —— t POLICE BUSY IN BENGAL. By Telegraph-Press Association-Copyright. Calcutta, August 18. The police at Dacca in Bengal, received a parcel containing a human skull, and a letter threatening them with, death. • ■> . At Calcutta the police have searched several houses, including that of Donator Chatterjee, a physician. Two students were arrested. 'Iho trial of forty-two conspirators has. begun at Dacca". HOW DISLOYALTY IS COJIBATED. The extent of sedition in India and lines to- be followed by the Government officials in combating it were recently laid down in a striking letter sent by the Indian Government to all grades of officials in Bengal. They explain what in the opinion of the Government ought to be done as a counter-movement. Wβ quote from the "Times of India":— . The Government begins by expressing in opinion regarding the nature and extent of the spirit of the disaffection towards tlie British Government, which, it says, now undoubtedly exists in many parts of India.' The Government opinion is that this is confined, with a few exceptions, to tho literate middle class. . It is not expressive of revolt against 'excessive taxation, or operative laws, but may have some slight basis. In the main it is an intellectual sentiment, and is not founded on any' material grievances. Those engaged in sedulously propagating the Nationalist views are quick to seize on ephemeral subjects of this character to advance their causes. Scditioni.st Divisions. There is a party, small in number, but of considerable' influence, inspired by strong convictions, fanatically held, who are opposed to the continuance of British rule. This party is broadly divided into .two, though the line of division is' not sharp or permanent. One class seeks to achieve autonomy by means of passive resistance, and tho continual sapping of the foundations of loyalty by means of attacks from the press, platforms, and priyato propaganda. This party ordinarily is not prepared to resort to violence though it may sympathise with outrage and assassination and refuse to assist the suppression' of crime. The second class comprises advocates and those who practice methods of terrorism against all public servants and all who assist the cause of justice. These active revolutionaries are mini active in the-two Bengals and Bombay. Their Movements spread to the Central Provinces, Berar, and the Punjab, and were found in some Native States. They made but little headway in the United Provinces and Madras," but there are danger spots in both of these provinces, which require very careful watching. The Government, of India have received no information of its existence in Burma or. on the North-Western Frontier. . These youthful'terrorists are .banded.together in societies, but how far these associations are under any central control it is not yet possible to say. ' Lies and Half-Lies. • The letter then proceeds to state, (hat for the most part sedition is duo iu the ignorance of those- who arc. persuaded and led astray, by a few implacable fanatical agitators who feed them with lies and half-lies. It is necessary for public officers and others to inform the ignorant and to remove the misapprehensions concerning the character and results of the British rule, and officers are not to consider (heir task done when their official day's work is finished. In the region of economics the most mischievous doctrine is that which is based on the crude theory that India is drained of her wealth by her connection with Great Britain. This belief is honestly held by many younj? graduates who never hear it controverted. . The letter remarks that upon district officers will fall the main labour and task of checking disloyalty. They must bo on the alert to keep in touch with all pei'r sons of any influence, whose political leanings are suspected. The leaders of the movements should be talked to and every effort should bo made to tench them inid their followers 'whenever signs of beginning a seditious movement-are manifested. The.Government desires to prevent rather than punish.- ' '. ' Curious Financing. Societies formed actually or ostensibly for innocent objects must not be allowed to degenerate into seditious associations. -Any tendency in that direction must at once be checked by remonstrance with ths managers, and if this fails, by exposure and suppression. The collection of funds for charity or other unobjectionable purposes must be watched, and any diversion of the money to seditious or other undesirable ends must be promptly unmasked. In some "cases money has been raised for political purposes by the "levy of fees on the managers of dramatic companies and circuses, upon cart owners, stall .holders in. markets, and the like, and payment has been enforced by threats of boycott. Resistance to such exaction should be encouraged by every lawful means.