THE INDIAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 175, 22 July 1878, Page 4

THE INDIAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCE.

[From the " Globe."] ' The second great military experiment in connectioQ with our present preparations has proved as successful as the first. The call for native troops from India baa elicited an outburst of loyalty and warlike enthusiasm which seems to have created some astonishment among the Anglo-Indian community. It had been hinted in some quarters that tbe Sepoys might possibly demur to being transported across the dread black water, and the well-worn Btory of the greased^ cartridges was again enlisted to enow the danger of failing to attach sufficient weight to caste prejudices. Some of our Liberal contemporaries gave such an exaggerated form to these vague misgivings that their readers must have been led to expect another military revolt as the almost certain consequence of tbe experiment. The news telegraphed to The Times from Calcutta yesterday afternoon, shows that we had grounds for lately ridiculing these absurd tremore. Instead of hearing that the naysterionß " chupattie" baß been again sent round from band to hand through, out the length and breadth of HindoBtftD, we are told that "the native soldiers appear completely CBptivated by the prospect of being engaged in military service in Europe." The wildest excitement is represented as prevailing in all parts of. tbe peninsula, many regiments volunteering en masse for service in Europe, when only called upon to furnish a few men to fill up the ranks of the battalions under orders. Nor is this enthusiasm confined to tbe most warlike of the three Presidencies. The Sepoys of Madras and Bombay show themselves no less anxious than their comrades in Bengal to help in the defence of the Empire, and the population generally mußt be stirred by the same impulse, Bince we find it stated that " commanding officers have reported to ihe Government that regimental second battalions can be raised in a few days." The advance guard of the expedition, which will embark at Bombay to-day consists of Bengal troops, and comprises two batteries of artillery, three regiments of infantry, including tbe Goorkhae — and two companies of Sappers and Miners. The remainder will follow almost immediately s shipping, both steam and Bailing, having already been provided for the entire force. By tho end of May, therefore, should no unexpected contingencies intervene, the expedition will have dieembarked at Malta, where, we learn, the arrangements for the accommodation of the native troops are making good progress. No doubt some inconvenience will be experienced at first, owing to the novelty of the experiment. But every one who has knowledge of oar Sepoy a on active servioe will bear witness to the good temper with which

they submit to discomfort, and to their special aptitude for making the best of unpleasant experiences.