[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] SIR,—The letter of Sir
Charles Spencer, which appeared in-the Spectator of January 18th, has a special interest to those in Madras, as Sir Charles was for many years a Judge of-the Madras High Court. When here, none of us even dreamt that he was at one with• the triumvirate composed of Lord Sydenham, Sir Michael O'Dwyer and Sir Reginald Craddock.
It is news to us out here to be told hat murder and violence are crimes abhorred and punished only in Christicn countries, Does Sir Charles think that Ireland ceased to be a Christian country during the Sinn Fein murders ? Is it his opinion that murderers went unpunished out here, before the. British came to rule ? No Indian in his senses believes that bombs are going "to effect what reason cannot." All that even liberal Indians regret is that reason cannot get the Britisher to give the coloured races their due.
Sir Charles observes that the " untouchables " and Anglo- Indians " are under no delusion as to their probable fate," if left " to the tender mercies of the tiger." What has the British Lion done to better the position of the " untouchables," or have 200 years of British rule advanced them in education and wealth? Were they aroused from their stupor during these 200 years ? On the other hand, these ten years of the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms have done more to rouse them to a sense of what is their own than the 200 years of tender mercies shown to them by the British Lion.
Mr. Gandhi, Mr. Srinivasa Iyengar and Mr. Patel, too," do not claim to be " demi-gods dictating the destinies of the Indian Peninsula and all its inhabitants." But they do object to retired British officials arrogating to themselves the right to mar the destinies of the land they served.
Sir Charles is much out of date with Madras politics in his appreciation of the attitude of the Justice Party. It will be news to him to be told that this party is now out for full Dominion Status, and complete Provincial Autonomy.
Sir Charles calls the resolution of the Swarajists in the Madras Corporation, " extraordinarily childish." He has yet to know that though municipal affairs are a transferred subject, the Finance Member who holds the purse strings is a member of the reserved half of the. Madras Government.
Had Sir Charles spent only a few days attending the deliberations of the Legislative Assembly before leaving this country for good, he would have formed more sound views about the temperamental fitness of the President of the Legislative Assembly.
If Englishmen are not going to be " deterred from their duty by threats and bombs," patriotic Indians, are also deter- mined not to be disheartened by the vapourings of the Michael O'Dwyer school to which Sir Charles is the latest recruit.—I am, Sir, &c.
Previous page
