THE DAILY PROVINCE
FEBRUARY 9, 1909

LOYALTY OF THE SIKHS
-----------------At the time of the alarming rumors from India were disturbing the
British public, the statement was made on the strength of certain supposed
Anglo-Indian authorities that the Sikh regiments were wavering in their
loyalty, and in case of an uprising of the native would, undoubtedly, take part
with their countrymen. Investigation has set this report at rest. It is not only
that Lord Kitchener, in whose hands the whole ordering of the military
establishment in India, has been reposed for some years now, has taken care
by his judicious arrangement and excellent treatment of the native soldiery to
make an y such eventuality as this next to impossible, but the Sikhs
themselves by their unmistakable loyalty during the period of unrest, gave
denial to the rumor. And there seems little reason to belittle the civilian
government any more than the military government of India. British
administrative methods there seem to have been shaped from first to last in
the interests of the people and the steady uplifting of the native masses is a
tribute to the really excellent character of British rule. Britain has introduced
a new civilization in India which it is trying to graft on the older civilization in
the East. There are difficulties in the way, it cannot be denied; but many of
these difficulties have been overcome and as they have been overcome in the
past there is no reason why they should not be overcome in the future. The
whole problem is an extraordinarily complex one but it is one to which the
British nation is capable of rising.