INDIAN AFFAIRS

Hokitika Guardian, 11 February 1921, Page 2

INDIAN AFFAIRS

11V TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSN., COFXRIGU*. AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. AN UNCERTAIN SITUATION. DELHI, February 9. A complete standstill exists in tho city. All the shops are closed. There are no vehicles plying and few people are in the streets. Dr. Gandhi’s proclamation is published in the local extremist paper, ordering the people’s abstention from tho Duke of Connaught’s reception. Several thousand agitators surround'd the Palace of Nawab of Tonk, in the Raj put ana State, demanding national reform. The Dewar or Prime Minister, has fled from Jaipur. Colonel Bcnn, the British resident was prevented from eoming to Delhi, which act is attributed toe the extremists. The situation is uncertain.

THE INDIAN ARMY

NECESSARY TO MAINTAIN IT

reuter’s telegrams. (Received This Day at 8.30 a.m.) LONDQN, Feb 9. Lord Sydenham in a letter to the press ,says the present is not tho moment to make - drastic reductions in tho fine gallant Indian Army when the agitators are doing their utmost to hamper and embarass the Government. Cavalry appears to he in danger of the greatest relative reduction. On the vast plains of India, the ca,valry arm is peculiarly formidable, especially for purposes of- internal defence. The efficiency of the aeroplane to deal with widespread rioting, insist be seriously discounted. The) Indian cavalry is the flower of the Army, recruited from the picked fighting races which proved their conspicuous loyalty to the Crown. Apart from many other sources of danger there is the idfark menace of Bolshevism in the East. Me are also engaged in delicate negotiations with Afghanistan. It must he evident in no time during the turbulent history of India have there been so many causes for misgiving. or such an. imperative demand for caution.