"I Shall Die Fighting"

Horowhenua Chronicle, 27 September 1916, Page 3

"I Shall Die Fighting"

•S'll? PKRTAIi .SINGH'S DESIRE. Lieut-General Sr Pert, a b Singh, now in lt : s 70th year, who is in the fighting line in France, has made the following statement to the London representative of the New York Sun• ".I hope the time is soon coming when, at the bead of my men, T shall dlie fighting. That is how every Rajput wants to die. Tf I die fighting Igo straight to Got). Tf I die in bed with a doctor looking on T ta'ke a long time to get to God. I have not yet had my chance, but soon I hope "to charge the Germans at the head of .my Lancers and die for the King-Emper-or." When asked what were the feelings of the ruling princes in India towards the war. the Indian general said': — « "Every chief in India wil serve as a. private soldier, without pay and without rank. All his subjects look to their chief as second God, and all the chiefs look to the King-Emperor as second God, not first God, second God; audi if His Majesty needs their services they would servo him even in the ranks if necessary. And they would send not only themselves but their sons. Aiir Pertab Singh's sons, aged 14 find 13 respectively, 'tame into tho room during the conversation, and when the Sun representative observed that they were very young to be fighting their father repliwli:— "The Prince of Wales is fighting. He is not so very much older; why should not my sons fight as the sons of the King-Emperor and my future King-Emperor fights?" The speaker concluded I "The Indian troops have done well. Unused to trench warfare, nevertheless they proved their worth in infantry fighting andl over 100 of niv own clan In the Poonia. Horse and Regular Indian Army, of which I am honorary colonel, have given their lives. But we are nil looking for the groat da.v when wo Rajputs can charge and that I may have my wish to go my God .as a Rajput fighting at head of my men. Let it be soon."