Stepping Stones.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 83, 8 December 1913, Page 5

Stepping Stones.

—^—» THE INDIAN PROBLEM. SOUTH AFRICAN PAWNS. [By Electric Telegraph—Copyright] Times— Sydney Sun Special Cables. London, December 0. Sir West Bidgway, in a letter respecting the Indians in South Africa, says they are merely pawns in the game. The objective the Indian agitators have in view is full rights, civil and political in every part of th» Empire, wherever Indians may choose to reside, the grievances in Africa only being used as stepping stones towards a policy pregnant with peril to the Empire. ''We are treading on ground," he says, "full of pitfalls, and our Government must walk with the delicacy of Agag. Any undue interference in South Africa or any attempt to coerce her will be resented in all the Dominions, for on this question they stand shoulder to shoulder."

LORD HARDINCE CRITICISED.

London, December 7

Sir West Ridgway's letter sharply ciiticises Lord Hardinge. He declares that Lord Hardinge's approval of the Indian's law-breaking in South Africa will make the Bengali agitators clap their hands and leap with joy, but when the agitators find that his brave words are not translated into aggressive action Lord Hardinge will find that he has sown a dragon's teeth. It is essential, to end the passive resistance in South Africa, that the Government should appoint a commission of inquiry. He is doubtful, however, if the concession will satisfy the Indian agitators, whose pretensions are encouraged by academic Imperialists who dream of a Utopian Empire where all citizens will .-rave equal rights. If the Government "were to attempt to force this policy or even to support it with argument, a breakup of the Empire would follow. The self-governing colonies would not tolerate the entry of colored people in any numbers.