THE DAILY PROVINCE
NOVEMBER 04, 1908

p. 1

HINDU SPEAKS ON INDIA’S
PROBLEMS
-------------------Declares that Native Leaders Predict Ultimate
Independence – Opposed to Coercive Measures.
“There will be no second mutiny in India despite the admitted discontent among millions of
the population. In the first place, the vast majority of the people are unarmed and the
native soldier, having sworn allegiance, will remain loyal.”
This was the way the situation in India was summed up today by Aloke Nath Bose, an
educated Hindu, who is a guest at the Hotel Vancouver. Mr. Bose is on his way home via
Japan after completing an engineering course in England. He will probably practice his
profession in Calcutta.
“Of course, I am not in close touch with conditions in India owing to an absence extending
over three years. I gather my impressions from the newspapers. English rule on the whole
has been effective and beneficial. It has tended to maintain peace between different races
and given us the advantage of western education.
“Our native leaders, men of great influence, declare that India will be independent some
day. This is not improbation(?) … (missing word). The argument is used, and with …
(missing word) little justice too, that the best people (?) (missing word) in the civil service
are awarded to Englishmen, whether natives are qualified to hold them or not. After the
mutiny our people had greater representation in the official classes than they enjoy today.
The publication of seditious articles in recent months has resulted in the adoption of
stringent measures by the government. Newspapers have been supressed and their native
editors sent to jail.
“The missionary movement in our country has been a failure. It is all a case of mistaken
zeal. This was admitted by Lord Curzon before he retired from the viceroyship.
Missionaries have made some progress with the lower classes, but in a country where cast
is so rigid they have not been able to influence the upper and educated classes. That is why
the mystical religions of India will continue to endure for ages.”
The visitor was surprised to learn that British Columbia had a Hindu problem.
“If my countrymen here wish to find new homes in British Honduras le them go there, but
by no means use force or compulsio0n.” he continued.
Mr. Bose expects to visit the Hindu temple during his stay in Vancouver. He stated that he
received more consideration in college in England than was accorded his white fellowstudents.