THE “INDIAN SOCIOLOGIST”

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2558, 20 July 1909, Page 5

THE “INDIAN SOCIOLOGIST”

KRISHNAVARMA’S SEDITIOUS PAPER. ■ THE PRINTER COMMITTED FOR TRIAD. * United Press Association—Copyright LONDON, July 18. Arthur Fletcher Horsley, a printer, "has been committed for trial at Old Bailey, at the Public Prosecutor’s in- . stance, for printing and publishing the “Indian Sociologist,” which the summons described as a “scandalous, seditious libel against the members of the Government and against the peace.” Horsley was paid by Krishnavarma, whom he had never seen. He declared that he was not acquainted with anyone connected with the movement and had no sympathy with them. KRISHNAVARMA. HIS CAREER AND PROPAGANDA. Pandit Shvamaji Krishnavarma is an M.A. of Ba’liol College, Oxford, and, on March 15, 1904, the Oxford University accepted his endowment of £IOOO for a Herbert Spencer lectureship. He had, up to that time, given -no sign of the violent anti-British feeling that ha& since compelled the rejection of his endowment, and the striking of his name olf the list of barristers. His academic career was highly commendable. The first Indian to secure the AI.A. degree of the University, it seemed quite fitting that now he was possessed of ample means he should endow the University, and at the same time honor tire memory of the philosopher under ■ whose spell he had first come in his Oxford days. His attainments in Sanskrit were so considerable that the late Sir Alonier Williams, the Roden professor, made him liis assistant; and he was also lecturer in Sanskrit, Alarathi, and Gnjerati.at Balliol. When he made the benefaction he seemed to be devoting his leisure entirely to literary pursuits; and lie intimated to an interviewer that he intended to embark upon a laborious work comparing the teachings of Herbert Spencer with those of the Bhavgat Gita. —Peculiar Scholarship Scheme.— Nine months after the acceptance of his benefaction, and before the first lecture was given, Air. Krishnavarma founded the “Indian Sociologist,” taking as a watchword illustrative of the policy of the monthly sheet towards British rule an aphorism of Herbert Sjiencer’s: “Resistance to aggression is not simply justifiable, but imperative. Nou-resistance hurts both altruism .and • egoism.” Next followed the establishment of the Indian Home Rule Society, with Mr. Krishnavarma as president. All mention ,of this organisation has ■long since ceased in the “Sociologist,” and it is understood that its place has been taken by an imadvertised and^ • esoteric organisation. In the third number of his journal, the Editor announced the establishment of six Indian travelling fellowships to enable Indian graduates to finish their education in England, and to fit themselves for on independent profession, a solemn declaration being required „froin each bolder that “after his return to' lndia he shall not accept any post, emolument, or service under the British Government.” The accepted candidates were required to insure their lives in favor of Air. Krishnavarma, and to repay the scholarship of R. 52000. (£133) as’soon as able, besides paying interest at 4 per cent, per annum. Each holder had also to pledge himself to “reside six months at least out of each year at a hotel or hostel in London. •. to be selected or established by the undersigned” (the donor). The estpblishni&nt of the now notorious India House loon followed. —Advice to Parsees. — On Air. Krislinavarma’s more recent writings and proceedings there is no n<;ed to dwell after the revelation he made of his opinions in his letter published in “The Times” on February 20. But for the purpose of showing that the spirit he now exhibits has dominated him for a considerable time past, and that consequently there has been no undue precipitancy in moving the Hebdomadal Council, we may quote the menaces addressed to the Parsees for their loyalty to British rule contained in the “Indian Sociologist” for May, 1907: i “We now appeal not so much to the benevolence of a Parsec as to bis selfinterest. which requires that he should If* soar higher than a .mere time-server. It ' ’ is a certainty that England will have to leave India nolens volens before very long, since the nationality -movement is spreading rapidly throughout the land. . . - In the event of any upheaval or political disturbance in India, a time-serving community like that of the Parsees, which favors a foreign domination, is likely to be the first to lie butchered by an infuriated .mob clamoring for political freedom. • What chance will they have of rescuing themselves from extermination if both Hindus and-Aloliammedans decide to crush them? . . . Prudence ought to. teach the Parsees that the time-serv-ing policy is in the long run fatal to self-preservation. ’ ’ One of those murdered by Dhinagri was a Parsec, Dr. Lalcaca.