THE DAILY PROVINCE
APRIL 5, 1909

AN OXFORD SEDITION-MONGER
-----------------From a recent movement in Oxford university, it appears that one of the
most prominent of the Hindu instigators of unrest and anarchic violence is not
only an alumnus of that great seat of learning, but has been one of its
‘benefactors’. Mr. Krishnavarma graduated M. A. in the early eighties, and is
still remembered among the crowed or Oriental importations whom it was the
delight of the late Professor Jowett to assemble in that home of learning and
culture. A man of wealth, of leisure, and of great influence, on his own
showing, at any rate, among the natives of India, Pandit Shyamaji
Krishnavarma founded and endowed in 1904 the Herbert Spencer lectureship
by a gift of $1000; and he is still, under the deed of convocation by which the
benefaction was accepted, a member of the board of management for its
administration conjointly with the vice-chancellor for the time being, and a
distinguished fellow of Jesus college. Within the last few weeks, however, he
has achieved a notoriety, the consequences of which may in the long run
prove exceedingly unpleasant, and which is certain to react very prejudicially
upon the bulk of the Indian residents in Great Britain. By a letter in the Times
this nationalist “patriot” from his safe retreat in Paris glorified the
assassination of Mrs. And Miss Kennedy, and of the informer Gossain, and he
warned the Englishman and the Englishwoman in India that they lived there
at their own risk, and that their “suppression” was no murder. Another letter
which recently appeared in the same paper showed that he gloried(?) in his
past action, and quoted with approbation a sentence from an ‘English
periodical which declared that “all the Indian leaders combined are not
wielding the amount of influence that Shyamaji Krishnavarma does to alienate
his countrymen from loyalty to their English rulers.” It is no wonder that
Oxford in general, and Balliol in particular, should feel the shame and disgrace
that is brought upon them by having nurtured this gentleman, and accepted
benefits at his hands. A memorial, signed by 100 members of Congregation,
has been addressed to the Hebdomadal council, asking that the Herbert
Spencer lectureship may be abolished and the money returned to the donor.

THE DAILY PROVINCE
APRIL 5, 1909
The signatures to the petition include those of seven heads of houses, among
whom are the Master of Balliol and the Warden of All Souls, and particular
interest is attached to that of the Warden of Wadham, from the fact that two of
his near relatives were among the victims of Nana Sahib at Cawnpore, shot
down in the river at the Murder Ghaut. Oxford Radicalism contains some
strange disciples, but we cannot believe that even the old Guard will consent
to retain such a man on the roll out of their benefactors. Men like
Krishnavarma are doing the work of sedition in England. They are at the
bottom of the Nationalist movement which is causing such grave anxiety tothe
rulers of India, and has already resulted in so many cruel tragedies. There is a
regular propagandist organization on foot which strives to unite the native
students in America, as well as in Great Britain, against British rule in India.
They have sympathisers in the house of commons, and among the Socialist
party generally. There is no lie too black for them to circulate; no
misrepresentation from which they shrink; and England incurs heavy
responsibility by the refuge and the sanction which she affords without
precaution or investigation to the advocates of treason and murder to the men
who glorify the memory of the worst villain of the Indian mutiny.