Letters to the Editor
INDIA
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] SIR,—Mr. Robert 0. Mennell writes in your issue of May 10th about the " dark Satanic mills " in which the Indian natives are employed, and cites these conditions as one of the causes of the present outbreak. - The phrase appears (although one cannot be sure on this point) to be a quotation from the somewhat effusively senti- mental poem " Jerusalem," which is to be heard chanted now and then in England, and which has been, I believe, suggested as a sort of National Anthem.
I am not familiar with the actual working conditions in the mills of India, but in Mr. S. M. Rutnagur's review of the Bombay industries a letter was published, dated July 7th, 1927, from the Governor of Bombay, which said :
" Tho mill industry in Bombay has rightly been called the fore- most indigenous industry of India. From small beginnings, three- quarters of a century ago, the industry now is one of international importance, and in the prosperity and welfare of Bombay plays la great and important part."
His late Majesty King Edward VII, as far back as 1875, is said to have complimented the Parsi and Bhatea merchants on their foresight and enterprise in starting factories which were destined to revolutionize the industrial situation and bring prosperity to the communities.
The point is, however, why do we hear so much that is sung and quoted about " Satanic " mills. Why should they be Satanic, and where are they ?
If there are " Satanic " mills in England, why not write to the Home Office about it instead of piously singing and quoting Blake ?
I venture to think that if we are really looking for things " Satanic " we may find them in much modern prose, poetry, art and even, perhaps, mnsic. Or is 'the word Satanic used only in a " Pickwickian " sense?
At any rate, it is time it was drOppect With regard to industry, unless the users of the word can justify the meaning which is at any rate implied.—I am, Sir, &c., . Beulah House, !Jiggle, Dobcross, Yorks. A. HUDSON.
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