Sut,—It is earnestly to be hoped that Professor Hill's powerful
article will be studied with careful attention both here and in India. If he can succeed in getting the Indian problem raised above the political arena it will be a great service to India. For, as he says, the Indian Press faithfully reflects discussion here, and it merely misleads India when suspicion is cast here upon Britain's announced intentions as to her future. If it were clearly recognised as beyond question in Britain that Indian self-government will come into being as soon as Indians can come to terms among themselves as to the nature of the government and constitution under which they wish to live, then Indian recognition would quickly follow and the way would be open for practical steps to be taken towards agreement.
Britain has long tried to introduce modern ideas into India's way of life and to encourage the desire for a higher standard of living. The towns and cities reflect, to some extent at least, these efforts, but 87 per cent. of India is rural, dwelling in some 700,000 villages, and the problem is how to bring about the "drastic social change" which Professor Hill tells us i• necessary for the improvement of their health and prosperity. It means altering ideas which have been transmuted into religious senti- ment throughout the centuries, and if we have learned anything from the history of the last 25 years in India it. is that Western influences have still to overcome immensely powerful forces of reaction.—Yours
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