BRITAIN AND INDIA

Hokitika Guardian, 13 June 1931, Page 6

BRITAIN AND INDIA

AND AMERICANS’ ADVICE. VANCOUVER, May 13. Very few of the United States newspapers have commented on the striking criticism levelled by General Sir Arthur Currie, former commander of the Canadian Corps in the Great War, and principal of McGill University, who delivered a rather pointed speech in Vancouver shortly after his arrival back in Canada from an official visit to India to participate in tlie great national function at New Delhi. “J. have read in the Press of a certain country that they have rescued Ireland, that they have rescued Egypt, and that they propose to rescue India. It is time, .1 think, that we told that country to mind its own business concerning our affairs,” declared Sir Arthur. He criticised a “certain nation,” which be declared was given to ' ‘hysterica 1 a Itrui sin. ” Sir Arthur termed the words “India’and “Indian” as meaningless. Complexity of racial differences, violent religious prejudices, superstition, hereditary rulers and omniscient power, all wove their way into this great political puzzle. “Because of Canada’s experiences in the British Empire, because by greater independence to-day both Canada and Great Britain are stronger among the nations of the world, we Canadians can sympathise with India’s desire for self-government. But the conflicting methods, opinions and aims of the population of India are in themselves the chief obstacle. In addition to the constant stream ol hostile propaganda, which originates in India, oustide interests are busy. There is no doubt that much nionov is spent in spreading propaganda hostile to the British. Where it all comes from I don’t know, hut I venture to assert that much of it comes from outside .India. Even landholders and agricultural workers, who normally hold conservative views, are being got at bypa id propagandists and agitators. Below such classes come the masses of workers, largely illiterate, and easily swayed by mob demonstration and violence, by Communist propaganda and religious appeal. Gandhi nd Communism.

“Jn the lives of Indians, no interest is so intense and vivid as that of religion. It was the power of religion that enabled Gandhi, during the non-co-operative movement of ten years ago, to rouse and sally the masses to an extent hitherto unknown, and it is veneration for his ascetic lite which made his appeal so powerful. The great mass of Hindus regard him as a. saint.” Gandhi’s second base ol appeal was to the “have nets.” He asked them why ! they should not have the positions j foreigners hold. “This is the way of I revolutionary Communism.” Sir Arthur continued, “and I am frankly ol the opinion that Communism is responsible for much of the' trouble in India. The world of Communism prefers unrest in India, and that world is our enemy, spiritually and materially.” Patronage Resented. The “New York Times” said in comment: “Both in Europe and in South America there is complaint, always felt and often expressed, about the superior aim assumed by tlie United States in almost all international questions. Even where we do not act ourselves, we are very forward with advice to others bow to act. This none too engaging quality of ours was satirically referred to tlie fact that the Press of a ‘eentajn country,’ which lie delicately did not name, was boasting how it had rescued Egypt from under the British heel, and saved China from English aggression, and now was about to free India from British tyranny. It is not strange that other people resent this kind of patronising and these assumptions of a finer virtue.”