The Dominion. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1914. INDIA'S REPLY TO GERMAN SLANDERS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2293, 29 October 1914, Page 4

The Dominion. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1914. INDIA'S REPLY TO GERMAN SLANDERS

The Indian iroops have had their first encounter with the enemy. The magnificent charge of the Bengal Lancers at La Blasseo, and the still more thrilling bayonet onslaught of. tho Sikhs and Gurkhas must have convinced the Germans that Indian loyalty is not merely a matter of empty words, for it proved with dramatic collusiveness that Indian soldiers are just as ready as British troops to risk their lives for iiixa and Empire. The Germans, who fled for dear life before their darkskinned pursuers, will now be able to form a juster estimate as to the truth of the story that the Princes and peoples of India were only waiting tor a, favourable opportunity to Revolt against British rule. This was one of the many lies circulated from Berlin for the purpose of encouraging the German public at the commencement of the war; but after the thrilling episode of La- Bassee the most ignorant and credulous of the liAiSEK's soldiers are not likely to entertain any further doubts about tho strength of the attachment of India's, millions to the British i'nroue. As soon as the gigantic struggle began India made it known to the whole world that she stood by Britain's side, and she demanded the right to send troops to fight side by side with the soldiers of the Motherland and the Overseas Dominions. Sho appealccl for the privilege to prove her loyalty on the battlefield —to give hur sons to die, if need be, for their Empire and ours. Educated Indians know well enough what. German domination would moan, and they have not the slightest desire to change the just and sympathetic rule of Britain for the brutal tyranny of the German jackhoot. The generous manner in which tho British have treated the coloured races which have come under their sway has evoked the scorn and ridicule of the Prussian War Party. The hard and harsh methods by which the natives in German colonies have been governed are known to all. Tho ruthless Prussian spirit that found expression in those acts of wanton destruction in Belgium which have roused the indignation of tho civilised world has also left its mark on German colonisation. "Bo hard" is the' new Commandment of these , Prussian pagans who put their faith in brute force. They care nothing for the rights, or the ideals, or' tho national manners and customs of subject peoples. A German professor of this Junker school recently declared that all .Polish societies should be suppressed without the slightest apology, as well as the societies of Alsace, Lorraine, and Schlesvvig-Holstcin., "The people," he said, "should bo allowed only three privileges; to pay taxes, serve in the army, and shut their jaws." In view of such statements as these, it is not wonderful that tho people of India, prefer to fight side by side with Britain for British rule rather than risk the possibility of domination by the German War Lord with the mailed fist.

"All I possess" is the offer of one Indian Prince, and another declares his, readiness to place at Britain's disposal all his troops and resources. Such offers are typical of tho spirit which actuates all the- Princes and their peoples. They are a great tribute to the success'of the British Raj. However much our enemies may sneer, the magnificent manner in which India and the ' Overseas Dominions have rallied round Britain in this her day of trial comes as an overwhelming justification of the British ideal of Empire, The Indians know what the Pass Britannica has done for them. As Sir Valentine Chirol points out, . tho British Raj alono stands between tho peace of -India and interna.' anarchy leading straight to foreign conquest at other hands, than ours. "The more thoroughly any Indian is imbued with Western knowledge and Western thought, the less he can hesitate, however far he, may have Gtrayed in tho past, to rally to the cause for which the British Empire stands at the present hour." It is because the Indian people realise this, and because they know that their welfare is bound up with that of the British Empire, that the Viceroy was able to offer to tho Kino "the first and largest military Forco of British and Indian troops for service in Europe that has ever left the shores of India." That the Indians themselves fully understand the importance of the crisis and the issues involved is made quite clear by the speech of one. of their own people, who pointed out that the success of British arms meant the triumph of right over might, of civilisation over the military barbarism of Germany, of ordered freedom over military slavery. The people of India have no desire to bs "civilised"' by moans of German "culture" spread by the sword. They hate the vary idea c f Gonranisat-ioh so whole-heartedly that they have given nxiii and money wifhoul; stint to fight it to the death on the battlefinld. Tho dash and bravery which chui'JictcrisQcl their first engagement •will cause a thrill of pride to pass round the Empire, and tho cheers of their British comrades may be taken as an_ expression of .the.'feelings <i£ Britishers in all po.rU o£ the world.