The Dominion. SATURDAY, JANUARY 22, 1916. INDIA'S PLACE IN THE EMPIRE

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2675, 22 January 1916, Page 4

The Dominion. SATURDAY, JANUARY 22, 1916. INDIA'S PLACE IN THE EMPIRE

The , campaign, which is just now occupying a largo share of public attention, is of particular interest in connection with tho reports of German hopes regarding India. The forces which ' are now fighting their way to Bagdad are largely composed of Indian troops. The British offensive in tho Persian G}i4f region was commenced in November, 1914, when the Poona Brigade, sent by the Indian Government, reached the', bar of the Shatt-el-Arab Before tho war German agents had been at work in tho neighbourhood of the Persian Gulf with the object of stirring up trouble. _ They had made elaborate preparations for undermining the influence of the Amir of Afghanistan, and for preaching a Holy War among the> Mohammedans of North-West India, Our enemies seemed to be of opinion that Britain would have so much to do in the other theatres of war that an advance into Mesopotamia would be out of the question. ' But, in this, as in many other matters, thej were mistaken. The hoped-for rising in India did not take place. To the disgust of tho Germans tho princes and people of India joined with wonderful enthusiasm in the great rally of the Empire, and before many months had ' gone by British and Indian troops were to be seen fighting side by side against tho common foe in no fewer than five theatres of war—in France, Egypt, East Africa, Persian Gulf, and China. India's splendid loyalty hau astonished the world. A Dutch writer points to India as a striking example of "the results of Britain's just government." It is, he considers, a great tribute to Britain that India, "not so long ago a seat of rebellion," should, insist upon fighting for the Empire. "Sikh and Pathan, Hindu and Moslem, Gurkha and Rajput, offer their help and beg for the favour of' being allowed to fight for England's cause." Some people feared that when Turkey threw in her lot with our enemies the Moslems of India might give trouble. But they remained steadfast and true. "How would India behave if Britain should become involved in a great war ?" This question had been frequently asked before tho present struggle commenced. Tho world now knows the answer. It cannot be truthfully said that there has been no trouble in India. Attempts have been made to stir up strife. In the early part of last year there was an outbreak of crime in the Western Punjab, and a revolutionary movement in Bengal had also to dc 'dealt with. But these occurrences had no direct, connection with the war. Tho Lahore conspiracy trial

disclosed a plot with the object, of causing disaffection among Indian troops, and to start an armed rising. The movement, however, proved an utter failure. The loyalty of the mass of. the people was too firmly established. Only a very small section of the community showed any sympathy with the plotters. India's relations with the rest of the Empire are discussed in an instructive way in an article entitled "India and the Imperial Conference," in the December number of tho Bound Table. The writer expresses the opinion that India's outburst of loyalty was largely the outcome of a general realisation of the value of British rule resulting from N thc enforced contemplation of a possible alternative. To tho Indian's mind much of tho work which tho

British are doing in India appears incomprehensible and eccentric, but the people feel that British rule is just and even Generous, and they appreciate it. They have no wish to exchange it for the rule of the German mailed fiat,' "It has fcaketi us h. hundred vram to teach yqu how to

govern us," said a witty Indian. and do you think we are going to begin all over again with another nation?" It would, however, be a mistake to think that the people of India arc perfectly satisfied with the existing methods of government. One of the objects of the education system which we have established in the country is to fit the Indians for a larger measure of self-government than they at present enjoy. ;In the course of time they will naturally ask for a greater share in the.task of shaping their own destinies and the policy of the Empire to which they belong. A memorable step in this direction was taken in September last, when a non-official Indian member of the Legislative Council of the Governor-General moved a resolution recommending that representation should bo made to His Majesty's Government that India should in future Ire officially represented in the Imperial Conference. The Viceroy stated that his Government gladly accepted the resolution, and disclosed the fact that the matter had ' already been considered sympathetically by His Majesty's Jitinisters. He regarded the resolution as an expression of the. legitimate interests of the Legislative Council in an Imperial question, "although the ultimate decision of His Majesty's Government must necessarily depend largely on the attitude of other members of the conference." Lord Hardinge expressed the hope that When the right moment arrived the Governments, of the self-governing Dominions would view the question in a generous and statesmanlike manner. Some' constitutional obstacles stand in the way, but a refusal of the request would be felt very keenly.' The Round Table holds that how far it can be granted

will depend greatly on the temper in which India herself emerges from the war. Much may yet happen before the conflict is over. But what India has already done will never be forgotten by tho rest of the Empire. Tho Canadians, Australians, South Africans, and New Zealandcrs "who have been through the fire of war with Gurkhas and Pathans at their side, will in future look at Indian questions in a new and more liberal spirit, which will'make possible a friendly settlement of any outstanding issues." This, we arc told, is India's hope, and wo do not believe she will be disappointed. The improvement of her political position is a problem of the utmost importance to the Empire, and. political leaders in the Overseas Dominions require to give it early and earnest consideration.