THE INDIAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5399, 17 July 1878, Page 3

THE INDIAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCE.

(Fr*m tli; Globe,) The second great experiment in connection with ourprosent military preparations hasproved as successful ,as the fust. The call for native troops f;*om India has 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 the Sepoys might possibly demur to 4 being transported across the dread Black Water, and the well-worn story of the greased cartridges was again enlisted to show 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 the experiment. The he\va telegraphed to The Times from Calcutta yesterday afternoon shows thatwe had grounds for. lately ridiculing these absurd tremors. Instead of heaving that the mysterious “chupattie” lias, been again Sent round from hand to hand throughout the length and, .breadth of' Hiudostan, we are told.that “ the. native soldiers appear completely captivated by the prospect of being engaged in-military,service in Europe.” The wildest excitement is represented as prevailing, in all parts of the peninsula," many regiments volunteering * cn masse for service in Europe when only called upon to furnish a few men to £ll up the ranks of the battalions under orders. Nor is ttys-enthu-siasm confined to the most warlikeof'the three Presidencies. The Sepoys of Madras and Bombay show themselves no less anxious than their comrades in Bengal to help ia the defence of the Empire, and’the-population generally must be stirred by the same impulse, since we find it stated that “ commanding officers have reported to 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 of artillery, three regiments of infantry—including the Goorkhas —and two companies of Sappers and Miners. The remainder will follow almost,immediately, shipping, both steam and-sailing, having been already provided for the entire force. By the end of May, therefore, should no unexpected contingencies intervene,- the expedition,will have disembarked at *Malta, wheie, we learn,the arrangements for the-.a'ocbramodation of the' native troops are making good progress. No doubt some inconveniences will be experienced at first, owing to the novelty of the ex-" periment. But every one who has knowledge of our Sepoys on active service will bear w,it- : ness to the good temper with, which thjey,' submit to'.'discomfort, and to their special, aptitude for making the best of unpleasant experiences.