[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] SIR,—I have been grateful
for the criticism of my article on the " isolation " of Europeans in India and have paid careful attention to it. In answer to one letter I would state that I have consistently advocated the common franchise for all races in the Colonies on the basis of the Cecil Rhodes formula, " The franchise for every civilised man." Any possible hardship to minorities can be avoided by keeping certain seats open for direct nomination, on their behalf, by the Governor or Viceroy. This might be done for Europeans in India.
To another correspondent from South India I would gladly acknowledge that there has been more " fraternization " in the South than in the North. But taking India as a whole, the grasping at special privileges by the Europeans, which has now been endorsed by the Sin la an Reporl, is not reassuring. At the same time, since I wrote niy letter, the reply of the. Europeans in India to the Birkenhead and Churchill propaganda in this country is distinctly encouraging. Is it still too late to ask them to be ready to forego these special privileges and to throw in their lot politically with the country where they reside—as happens in Australia and Canada mid South Africa? Is not the Viceroy himself a sufficient guarantee that their true interests will not suffer ? Would they not prefer nomination ?
There is one story about Egypt, which I first heard from Bishop Lefroy, of Lahore. lie was never tired of telling it with a twinkle of Irish humour in his eyes. A young British officer was in charge of a labour corps somewhere on the Nile, and the terrific heat was getting badly on his nerves ; it was also telling on the workmen. There was suddenly some sign of insubordination and a big Egyptian workman came forward in a threatening manner. The young officer for the moment thought that he had better order the armed guard to arrest the man. But some tired look in the work- man's face touched the officer, and he offered him, with a smile, a cigarette instead and then a match to liadd it, while he lit his own. In that moment the whole SCOW ,V:IS changed. The man smiled back in return as he took the cigarette and lighted it ; and then the work went on as before, but with a different spirit in it. If one could only get back in India to that kind of good humour things would at once improve. But the humour has to be genuine ; and it must get beyond the point of standing on dignity. It has to give the fullest dignity possible to the other man.
There is one passage in the New Testament which puts the whole matter with amazing directness. It runs : " There arose a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest. And He said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles do exercise lordship over them : and they that have authority over them are called Benefactors. But it shall not be so with you : but he that is greater among you let him be as the younger, and he that is chief as he that doth serve. For whether is greater, he that sitteth at the meal, or he that doth serve'? Is not he that sitteth at the meal ? But I am among you as he that serveth."
The whole thing is incredibly simple, and there is surely a touch of humour in the picture of those lords of the Gentiles, who are called " Benefactors." Yet to carry it all out in practice is by no means easy. The Viceroy himself clearly understands this way of life that Christ tells us to follow. No one, perhaps, holding his office, has done more to break through the absurd red tape of Simla. Nevertheless, in such times as these, one could still wish even with him, that what is official could be thrown aside and what is human could have more natural expression. When, for instance, Mahatma Gandhi sent his ultimatum about the salt tax, offering at the same time to see him personally if any good might come of it, might not the strictly correct and proper Simla attitude have been put aside for that unique occasion ? Was it absolutely necessary to send back a refusal through the Private Secretary ? Most Englishmen would probably say that nothing else could be done.
Why not ? A great deal in India to-day turns on that
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