The Dominion. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 1913. BRITISH RULE IN INDIA.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1861, 22 September 1913, Page 6

The Dominion. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 1913. BRITISH RULE IN INDIA.

The establishment and maintenance of British rule in India is one of the most intensely _ interesting stories in the world's history. The conquest of this great country forms a wonderful chapter in the military annals of our nation, ancl tho triumphs of peace have been as great as tho glories of war. Under the Pax Britannica India haß progressed marvellously in every direction. Much has been done to_ lessen the ravages of famine and diseaso, trade and commerce have been,, promoted, and by means of firm and just government crime has been punished, and civil and religious liberty secured for all. But, though much has been done, many political, social, and religious problems still remain unsolved, and they are big enough to put British statesmanship to the severest test. Somo of these problems .were recently referred to by tho Viceroy (Lord Hardinge) in the course of an important review_ of Indian policy, an outline of which appeared in our cable columns last weok. Ono of the _ matters mentioned was the position of Indians in other parts of tho Empire, a question which has been causing a good deal of difficulty for some years, and no settlement of a permanent character has yet beon devised. It is ono of those racial troubles that must inevitably arise in an Empire which includes peoples of many races, with different customs and religions. The self-governing Dominions do_ not desire to embarrass the Imperial Government in its relations with the vast population of India; but they are anxious as far as possible _ to maintain their own ideals of nationality, and not to allow their standards of living to be lowered by the reduction in wages which might result from the competition of cheap Asiatic labour.

Dealing with, one aspect of the many-sided "religious problems which form such an important element in tho government of India, Lord Hardinoe gave some timely advioe to the Mohammedan community. If tho Nativo States aro included, tho Mohammedans number about 66,000,000 out of a total population of 315,000,000, the Hindus numbering over 217,000,000. Tho defeat of the Turks in the recent Balkan War has caused a good deal of uneasiness among their co-religionists in India, many of whom have been watching very closely tho trend of British diplomacy in Eastern Europe. In international questions of this character the Imperial Government must alwayß give due consideration to tho sympathies of His Majesty's Mohammedan subjects in India and elsewhoro, but thero are many other important interests which cannot be overlooked in framing the foreign policy of the Empire. The Mohammedans in all parts of_ the world have a bond of union in their religion, but Loud Harmxge told tho Indian Moslems that they must not give an unreasonable interpretation to this idea of solidarity. As a matter of fact, the Mohammedans of India have never exerted an influence at all commensurate with their numbers upon the Islamic world at largo. Sib T, W. Holderkess points out JdiAt aa jzroat Moslom movement Iwjl

originated in India. "Tho Indian Moslems aro content, if of the Sunni sect, as tho majority aro, to look up to tho Sultan of Turkey as their spiritual head; and, if Shins, to turn for guidance to Persian theologians and mystics." The Mohammedan conception of government is _ a theocracy—tho rulo of the community by God Himself, or by His representative; and the ideal of Islam is to dominate all other religions. The extension of tho rulo of tho Christian Powers in modern times has, however, made this impossible, and various compromises have had to be accepted, by means of which over 80,000,000 Mohammedans aro ablo to live and enjoy tho fullest religious freedom under a Christian ruler within the British Empire. Another matter dealt with by the Viceroy in his recent speech was the education question. This has been receiving very careful attention for some time past, and the wholo educational policy of the State is being reconsidered. Many people feel that the school system needs to bo remodellecl in some of its features, and it is said to be in a measure responsible for certain phases of what has become known as the "unrest" in India. Tho Mohammedans were at tho outset slower than tho Hindus in taking advantage of the educational opportunities provided by the Stato, and they became discontented because tho Hindus naturally secured a largo share of Government employment. They are now seeing their mistake, and in last ten years the attendance of Mohammedan children at the elementary schools has increased by fifty per cent., and tho number of students of that faith at the higher educational institutions has grown by 80 per cent. These facts were mentioned by Mr. Montagu, Under-Secretary for India, in a recent speech in the House of Commons. He went on to say that tho Government has started a scheme for a University at Dacca with eleven residential colleges. This is as the opening of a new chapter in the higner education of India, for the existing Universities are all only examining bodies. A similar University is to bo established at Alighur. It is reassuring to find that tho authorities realise that it is not sufficient simply to train' students to pas 3 examinations in order that they may be eligible for employment by tho State, and that they are alive to the fact that moro must be done in tho way of formation of character so that the scholars' may become good citizens. It is only by education of the right kind that the ijeople of India can be fitted to exercise those powers of | self-government which are gradually feeing conferred upon them. Tho iTieeroy's reference to "the appalling increase of lawlessness" in certain parts of the country should be a

warning to the British authorities against the danger of adopting a flabby and sentimental policy in their government of tho country. .Only by a just and firm rule, tho vigorous suppression of sedition in its early stages, and tho resolute punishment of crime, can law and order be maintained; and only by such meanß can British supremacy in India deserve or expect to stand unassailed and unassailable.