Lord Curzon has, it is stated, appointed a very strong
Committee to inquire into the condition of the Indian police, and report upon possible measures of reform. We are not aware that any special scandals have recently been revealed, such as those which in the last generation shocked Madras, but there can be little doubt that the Police Department is the weak spot in Indian administration. The military police lack detective faculty, the civil police lack force, and both would be much the better for a higher morale among the native rank-and-file, especially as regards the receipt of bribes,—that seems to be the substance of the charge. Much would be remedied if we could secure a better class of native police officer, but large improvements are also needed in the pay of the rank-and-file, and are most difficult to make from their enormous numbers. There is little doubt that the Committee will send up a most frank and instructive Report—Indian Committees, not being respon- sible to opinion, usually do that—but then comes in the standing Indian difficulty. When that Report is presented Lord Curzon will have gone home, and the new Viceroy may be intent upon remedying some other abuse, or timid of touching so vast, and to him unknown, a subject. Viceroys should last ten years. Lord Cromer in Egypt has lasted seventeen.
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