INDIA KEEN OR VICTORY.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 160, 29 August 1916, Page 5

INDIA KEEN OR VICTORY.

| SIMLA. August lti. Indian interest in the war grows keener with each success of the Allies, and the strenuous efforts of the people to jassist towards final victory continue unabated. The internal condition of the country;, save in portions of Bengal, where the Dacoites periodically break out, is highly satisfactory, and the situation is much the sam 0 as was reported on April 29. The people of Bengal havfe showed their desire to help in the war by. organising a stationary field hospital for service in Mesopotamia. This hospital, with the exception of 'fhe officer commanding, was staffed entirely by 'Bengali medical graduates, and the personnel was entirely Bengali. After doing ■excellent work this hospital has now been withdrawn, buf scope for the national and patriotic aspirations of the Bengalis has been afforded by raising a double company of this class. It will be trained on the frontier, and when fit for service will b t > sent to the front for active operations. The result of this experiment will be watched with interest.

Besides the Bengalis ,thne e double companies of Indian Christians, recruited from the Pun.jaub, have recently been raised, and are doing well. No fewer than six Indian officers have now earned the Victoria Cross, and 27 have gained the Military Cross. Reports show that all classes and creeds throughout the entire country held intercession services on August 4th, the anniversary of the declaration of war In th e churches, mosques, and temples prayers were offered for the success of the British arms. In certain of them offertories for the aid of Bri-

tish prisoners in Germany was made.

The relations between the Government of India and th e Amir of Afghanistan continue to be of the most friendly character. The. Amir, is scrupulously maintaining the attitude of neutrality h e promised at the beginning of the war, and subsequently re-affirmed.

The north-west frontier, partly i* consequence of the Amir's friendly aititure, partly owing to the' punishment inflicted last year on recalcitrant sections,' and .partly owing to the exposure of German attempts to introduce the religious element into the war, is enjoying an unprecedented peace-. The Afridis, the strongest and most important tribe, Lave remained throughout staunch "to their engagement; thereby setting *-.« example to their neighbours. The only troublesome faster is tie Hah suds iribe of hereditary- robbers tend raiders. Otherwise their re&tless borderland is quieter thaa it has been for reany years. . 4 ,