ASIATIC PROBLEMS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 299, 12 May 1911, Page 6

ASIATIC PROBLEMS.

j UNREST IN INDIA. ' Christcliurch, May 0. Major Andrew, of the 110 th Mahrattas, an officer w$U known in New Zealand, has arrived in Christcliurch on ' furlough, and he intends to spend the ' next few months in this city. Jn nil interview .with..a reporter he talked in- ' several natters connected with India and Asa- | Major Andrew, referring to the past ' "unrest in India," said he believed that the position had, considerably improved during the past twelve months. The enlargement of the Supreme Legislative Council by the inclusion of a greator i number of educated Indians of position, ' seemed to have relieved the strain somewhat, a,nd to have given the Indians ' that voice, in the government of the ■ I country which the Indian International '' Congress had been advocating during the last twenty years. ' I In reference to the projected visit of ' their Majesties to jndia, Major Andrews ■ stated that it was hoped that the crown-: ; ing of the King at Delhi and his pre1, sentation as Sovereign of India in actual- ] ', ity would exercise a most beneficial ef-1 ; j feet on the feelings of a good manv of '■ those who were antagonistic to British' rule. There was a very considerable sec- 1 ! tion of the Indian population which' • would be satisfied with nothing less than ■ self-governAent. On the other hand it < whs contended that government by Par■l liament in Persia, fotlo-""ing a system of ' absolutism, had resulted in chaos and i confusion. The condition of affairs in 1 1 southern Persia would probably lead to I English or Russian intervention or joint 1 action by the two Government. Trade ~ and commerce were at a standstill, roads ' | were unsafe, and communications blockI ed. The disastrous result of the Persian | experiment would not encourage the I granting of "self-government in India. "One of the most patent questions fae- ■ I ing the western world is the increase in ♦he Asiatic population," said Major Andrew. "It is calculated that owing to the peaceful conditions that have exist: ed in Asia; during the last half century, the population has increased so enormously as to be in itself, apart from any aggressive tendency of the Asiatics, a danger to neighboring States. Although reliable statistics" for the whole or Asia arc not available, it is believed that the population has increased during the last ten .years by 50,000.00(1. At that rate the increase will be | 500,000,000 during the coming century, and the surplus must overflow into the I islands of the Pacific or into Africa, i The aspect can scarcely be viewed with '■ equanimity. I don't believe that the | Asiatic people are now or ever will be aggressive, but such an enormous population must find an outlet. I beI lieve they are already filling up the islands immediately contiguous to the continent of Asia,' and in time, it appears to rnc, they must go further abroad."