THE INDIAN UNREST.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2760, 8 February 1910, Page 5

THE INDIAN UNREST.

THE NEW PRESS LAW

United Press Association—Copyright.

LONDON, Feb. 6

Sir H. H. Rislcy, Home Secretary for India submitting the Viceroy’s Council Press Bill enabling local governments, without prosecutions, to suppress newspapers which are mischievous though not technically seditious, gave a startling picture in supplying details of newspapers’ antiBritish propoganda among the youth from whom the great body of civil servants in India are drawn and the manner in which peaceful vallages are invaded by preachers of political murders and sedition. He added: “We are confronted by a murderous conspiracy.”

The newspapers started hereafter must make a deposit of £333. Existing journals are exempt unless they offend. There will be no censorship, but the customs and postal authorities will be entitled' to make a search in connection with suspected matter. The deposit will be forfeited on the repetition of an offence, unless an appeal to the High Council is successful.

NEWSPAPER OPINIONS. The “Chronicle” urges that care should be taken in the definition of offences like attempts to excite a racial clash and religious animosity and hatred. It adds: Sir H. Itisley’s account of the widespread anarchial propaganda is very striking. When the incendiary articles are part and parcel of murderous acts, it is, as Lord Worley said, moonshine to talk heroics about the freedom, of the press.

The “Daily News” states: “No Indian editor will be able to print a single adverse comment upon the administration of the Government’s policy or officials’ actions. If the revolution is driven under ground the peril will be incalculable.”

CALCUTTA, Feb. 6

The “Pioneer,” Allahabad, states that •Sir H. H. Rislcy’s indictment is the strongest possible condemnation of the Government which allows the mischief of corruption of the public mind to reach the state described in the Bill.

MADRAS, Feb. 6

The Native paper “Hindu” declares that “the innovation now sought for is executive interference in the discharge by the press of its legitimate functions. The Bill is a gross infringement of the rights of the people.” Anglo-Indian newspapers warmly support the Bill. They deny that a single bona fide liberty has been assailed bv it.

RAX-JI ON BRITISH RULE IN. INDIA. The Jam of Nawanagar (Prince Ranjitsinhji) is the subject of an interview with Count Hans von Koenigsmarck, a •Major on the German General Staff, which the Major has printed as an epilogue to his book on India. “Rulers and Ministers, military officers and Civil officials, merchants and laborers (said the Prince) are all inspired by a consciousness of duty. A high standard has been set up in all professions. I. lia has already produced distinguished Civil servants, politicians, professors in every faculty of learning, efficient business men, thorouligly trained mechanics and engineers, and capable artisans, and with Great Britain’s help we shall continue to make satisfactory progress'. “India is still very far distant from that condition of autonomous independence for which Tilak and his partisans continuously clamor. We shall have need of Great Britain’s strong arm to lead, support, and to protect us in spite of all our advance in civilisation, in spite of the increase of education in India, and in spite of the evidence of initiative on the part of tne Indian peoples. “For all that, wo continue to be like children who cannot prosper without wise /parental guidance. What would have been the fate of our conglomeration of nations without Great Britain s guardianship? Our magnificent Heritages would have been wasted m the follies and excesses of political youth. A succession of revolutions wouid have devastated the country that is now rich. “Mr. Keir Hardie’s Socialist ioilower Tilak and his astute babus would probably- be the first to burn on the funeral pyre of liberty. Nelither »t present «nor at any future _ tune vil the diverse elements of India ever he united into ono single nation. Neither at the present time nor at any futiue time will India he fit for self-govern-ment, hut under Great Britain’s benevolent and powerful leadership h dia will grow into a homogeneous rea'in, and become a poyverful and even dominant factor in the future arena ' i nations—the markets of the world.