PRINCE IN INDIA.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 December 1921, Page 5

PRINCE IN INDIA.

HIS VISIT TO LUCKNOW. FAILURE OF BOYCOTT. ARREST OF AGITATORS. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Delhi, Dec. 10, Although the usual hartal was declared by the Ghandists in connection with the Prince of Wales’ visit to Lucknow, his entrance to that city was marked by not the slightest disorder or sign of hostility. The energetic action of the authorities in arresting most of the prominent agitators, sentencing some to imprisonment and detaining the remainder temporarily, had a depressing effect on the extremists. The only outward sign of political unrest is the prevalence of Ghandi caps worn in the streets and bazaars. The Prince had a great reception. Ho was welcomed by the Governor and the principal European and Indian officials and then drove by a lengthy route to Government House. Behind the line of troops there were great crowds of natives along the route, and though there was not much cheering, the Royal visitor was everywhere respectfully greeted. The city was effectively decorated. The rank and file of the Ghandists disobeyed the injunction to boycott the Prince and took a lively interest in the proceedings. The only cries for Ghandi came from a vehicle surrounded by wire-netting and guarded by native soldiers, in which were two agitators en route to prison. Their free comrades did not respond as they watched the vehicle pass. THE STRIKERS BEATEN. Lucknow is laughing over one result of the hartal proclaimed, in consequence of the Prince’s visit. The Tonga drivers declared a strike to prevent the people from following the Prince’s activities and, it being held to be a stigma on a respectalfle Hindu to walk where he can possibly drive, the authorities established a. serivce of all the available motor lorries, each bearing the placard “Come and see the Prince.” These were packed with delighted free riders. Despite official efforts to prevent it the non-co-operators arc organising the re-imposition of the hartal when the Prince returns to Calcutta on December 24.

An interview between the Governor and Mr. Das, president-elect of the Indian National Congress, revealed the impossibility of reconciling the extreme ist and the Government viewpoints. A communique issued to-night states that in view of deliberate floutihg of orders the Goiirninent is forced to take measures to protect law-abiding people. This was followed by the arrest of some 400 malcontents, including a number of leaders, among them Das. VISIT TO OLD RESIDENCY. The Prince greatly increased his popularity in Lucknow. Riding in races he piloted two winners and two seconds. To-day he visited the Old Residency and spent a considerable time wandering among the crumbling, shot-jagged remains. From this scene of the epic defence during the mutiny, now religiously preserved alike by British and Indian sentiment, the Prince descended into the Tykhana, where the women and children sheltered, and lingered a while iu the house in which Sir Henry Lawrence, defender of the city. died. He also made a tour of the Bateley Guard gate, so heroically held by the Sepoys, the Sedan" and Cawnpore batteries, and the Innes and Gorman posts, and was deeply interested in tracing the now nearly obliterated routes by which Havelock’s relief columns fought their way into the Begum and Kothi redoubts. The Prince was visibly affected by the realisation brought home so vividly amidst perfect peace in this hallowed spot, over which the Union Jack flies every day and night, and where the only sound, save the drowsy distant hum of the city, is the cries of peacocks strutting about on the exquisitely kept lawns. Later the Prince left for Allahabad.