Publications, Newspaper Cuttings, Photographs and Correspondence about Persia and the Persian Gulf [‎312r] (626/879)

the grazing of their herds of b
, buffaloes are fine large animals, but only semi-
domestic and often ungovernable. They con
stitute the wealth of these people and apparently
have not deteriorated within the past fifty years.
They play an important part in their re igion
and the Todas belive that when slaughtered
at a funeral they nourish their owners with
their milk in the next world much as they do
in the present.
May 8.
The event of the week, which has overwhelmed
the station by its suddenness, is the death
of His Imperial Majesty, King Edward VII.
Most people here had not even heard that - 18
Majesty was indisposed, and were taken by sur
prise when posters announced his death, h
Excellency the Governor received a telegram on
Saturday morning at 7-30, informing him of th
sorrowful intelligence, and he immediate y wired
back as follows:—“I desire in the name of the
this
Queen
Madras Government and the people of
Presidency The name given to each of the three divisions of the territory of the East India Company, and later the British Raj, on the Indian subcontinent. , to convey to Her Majesty
Alexandra and to His Majesty the King
Emperor a expression of profound and res
£ectful sympathy in the irreparable loss which
as befallen their Majesties and the nation,
by the death of His Majesty, King Edward
Local sympathy was expressed by tae
. cancellation of all public functions. The Races
" which were to have come off on Saturday, were
^topped many shops draped their sign boards,
preie flags on Government house were flying hal
Dhaast high, and 101 guns from the Stonhouse
resoitery to d the public that the King had joined
with -majority and that a nation was in pro-
grief over its loss. The pulpit of Saint
Edward was the first to express the sorrow of
111 istian congregation and the Bishop of
as a mar thetically summed up the virtues of
of respect t sovereign.
hearts of had days races at Wellington were,
qualities, als, more of a success than the first
the bazaar atendance was better. The weather
sad ne'
furitious. which it seldom was in the
It
Government ’ of this sporting event. The most
this meeting ent run was for the Mysore Cup—a
Prince of Wa horses and won by Mr. Rahimtulla
— Harfish by three quarters of a
future Empero-ly followed by Mr. Holmes’
— meeting 0- The stewards and particularly
—erchants was 1 the Honorary Secretary, are to
Exchange Room, on the meeting which it is
sense of regret at e more popular in future and
peror. It was putation of this once-great
of respect to the
peror, the Cotton Races—on the first day were
for the day and also The Gymkhana Pavillion
funeral ceremony, and brities and.then beauty and
requested to send a mes, were wan nMel ana
the Governor with a reco was the coveted trophy.
Royal Family their most
grief, at the King-Emperoidays there will be a
In consequence of the det at Ootacamund and
the King-Emperor, the Roonissionaries, who have
Chamber of Commerce, the Bon been . invited and
Association and the Bombay Cos their varied ex-
sociation, Ltd., were closed on shields of . labour.
The Bombay Chamber or’IndianMis
telegraphed to.H. E.. the. Governor, seublis se read 8.
An inspection of the camp proved highly in
teresting though my untechnical eye failed to
understand much of what it saw. But there
was no mistaking the blackened earth sur
rounding the well-heads, or the pressure of the
oil on the screwed caps, evident in the shape
of continuous hissing
large tanks excavated in the ground were full
and bubbling. Two
of the crude article, while horrid brown masses
of it floated undulating and wriggling on the
water of a small stream. The stench absolu
tely pervaded the atmosphere, most unpleasant
to me, but balm to those who lived in it and
worked upon it. People used to oil-fields are
said to go sick when they breathe untainted
air, and to require in their waistcoat pockets
a small phial of their precious oil to smell
from when they take a holiday. A large work-
shop n which mechanics of various nationalities
were busy is a feature of the camp. A power
ful oil-engine drives the machinery, and will
later on be employed to work a dynamo which
is to provide electricity for lighting and other
purposes. Belching black smoke from a dozen
chimneys indicates that the product of the
wells is used for cooking in the houses. Large
sheds and stabling accommodation are provided
for the transport establishment, which con-
sists of about 150 mules and a dozen carts of
the kind with two pairs of enormous broad-
tyred wheels joined by a heavy beam. To
draw these contrivances when loaded with the
cylinder lengths described, six pairs of mules
are required. One of the necessities of the
enterprise was a road fit for heavy transport,
for the existing mule tracks were useless for
the purpose. A road forty miles long was con
structed to a point on the Karun River, a
few miles below the head of navigation.
Road to Shushter.
Mr.
with
the
Having been hospitably entertained by
Reynolds and his staff I left the next day
the object of rejoining my caravan on
Shushter Road. After a five hours’ ride I
arrived at dusk at a village where I expected
to find my camp established, but only to be
disappointed and to hear that the caravan had
gone on to Shushter that forenoon. It looked
as if I were to be stranded for the night with
out food or shelter, but luckily for me I now
encountered the transport train of the oil com
pany halted for the night. In charge were two
cld soldiers, one cavalry and the other artillery,
and very well they looked after me in this
moment of need. After an excellent dinner
they produced a camp-bed, and insisted upon
dividing up their stock of bedding, very much
to my advantage, and I am afraid, to their
own discomfort. But the British
always been an obstinate fellow
soldier has
whether in
comfortable
Service in
war or love or hospitality, and
they made me despite my protests.
India and South Africa gave us
talk about, and a pleasanter evening I have
seldom spent. In the morning one of them
plenty to
ian |
is that it is built on a cement embankment
evidently constructed with a view to raising
the level of the water for the purposes of irri
gation. Whether or no the embankment 01
barrage was part of the canal scheme and con
structed so as to force water into the canal
is learnedly discussed by Lord Curzon. Wha
interests the visitor is to find that the canal
known as the Ab-i-Gerger, on reaching the town,
is confronted by a heavy masonry wall at eaci
side of which are curious tunnels througi
which the stream pours violently. Emergin’
on the other side the water is diverted into a
number of different channels cut out of th
solid rock. Over these channels are built mill
houses, and through them the water courses
turning the mills on the way. Having don
ts work, in some cases two or three times over
the water then plunges into a deep seethin
pool on the lower side of the embankment
The latter is used as a bridge and from it th
visitor first catches sight of the remarkable
scene below; spell-bound he halts to examin
so Moses-like a phenomenon. Out of nearly
twenty tunnels piercing the rock at different
levels the water gushes, pouring with a noise
like thunder into the boiling pool. The mill,
being covered the why and wherefore of this
strange arrangement is mysterious until under
stood. The explanation is that the rock is
soft sandstone which lends itself easily to
cutting, and that the townspeople, at one time
or another, have ingeniously availed themselves
of the natural advantages. It is, however, not
absolutely established that the Ab-i-Gerger is
artificial, though the embankment, of course,
is, as well as two bunds projecting into it up
stream of the embankment. It would be in
teresting to determine whether the canal was
made with a view to milling facilities or
whether the idea of milling was evolved from
the proximity of the water to the soft rock. In
any case the result is most picturesque, and
supposed to be without parallel elsewhere in
the world.
Relics of Enterprise.
The pleasantest place in Shushter is the fort,
a walled erection occupying a sandstone bluff
overlooking the Karun. The heat in Shushter
in summer is terrific, but if there
is any coolnes to come in the
evenings, it will surely be found in the
pleasant topmost storey of the house in the
fort, a many windowed-chamber commanding a
fine view both up and down the river. Vale
rian’s great bridge, broken towards the western
end, is clearly seen in the south, while to the
north the offtake of the Ab-i-Gerger is backed
by the mountains out of which the Karun
emerges, seemingly thankful after its tempes
tuous career in the hills to stretch itself pla
cidly on the easy mud of the plains. From
the walls of the fort my guide takes me down
to the water’s edge and we skirt the continua
tion of the bluff in the direction of the bridge.
aved in the most insulting manner. Active
esentment must have made matters worse,
Ise I would have been sorely tempted to pro-
uce my pistol. Apart from this incident,
hich took place on the critical day in Mohur-
um, I had nothing to complain of, even from
he children whose impudence in outlying Per-
an towns is usually indicative of the attitude
f the inhabitants towards unbelievers. Among
hemselves the people of Shushter, as likewise
hose of Dizful, forty miles to the north, are
ways at war. The town is divided into quar-
ers occupied by different factions in perpetual
cud with each other. The slightest cause sets
he town in a blaze, when street-fighting lasts
or days. Two months before my arrival there
ad been a serious outbreak, when seven were
filled and about twenty wounded. The Shah
ppears always to have been powerless to pre-
ent these outbursts of lawlessness and in the
resent condition of the country the new gov-
. to have more control.
the Mullah, mentioned at the be-
this letter, brought the Member of
for Dizful and Shushter to call
rnment is not likely
fy friend
inning of
Parliament
ipon me.
vas ready
It appears that “His Excellency”
. to start but that the patriotism' of
as constituents would not stand the strain of
lis travelling expenses to Teheran.
PRIZE
DAVID FRASER.
ESSAY COMPETITION.
Essays
world by
Ca cutta,
india.”’
being invited from all over the
are
Mr.
on
) usuf C. Arif, 5, Amrato la Lane.
“The Blessings of British rule in
They are to be written in English or
Urdu, and sent in by August 31. The best in
each language is to receive a prize of a gold
medal and a purse of Rs. 100. Among the rules
are the following:—
The essays must be in simple and easy lan
guage.
There is no limit as to space.
Essays should be in an impressive style and
not in the nature of a discourse or reasoning.
Each and every blessing to be placed under
separate headings.
Statistics and quotations are to be avoided as
far as possible.
Historical references are permitted from stan
dard original works only.
Translations wil. be rejected.
Educational qualifications of the competitor
may be added. •
MATRIMONIAL TIMES.
The cheapest, best, and quickest introductory
medium of all wishing to get married, having a
large and more influential clientele than any
Matrimonial Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. in the world.
Price 6d. in sealed envelope
The Editor Room II 5. Featherstone Buildings,
. " London
210 ... ' _ 4311 -
16
THE TIMES OF INDIA MAIL EDITION.
[MAY 14, 1910.
THE INDIAN PRESS
King Edward’s Death.
As in the Home papers the Indian Press
have laid special stress on the remarkable way
in which the late King by force of personality
was able to give to the best results of peace
in Europe. They also lay stress on the very
great services he rendered to India by the
sympathy which he undoubtedly showed to
wards the people and by the personal kind
ness and courtesy with which he invariably
treated Indians with whom he was brought in
contact.
THE PIONEER.
With reference to the late King-Emperor
the Pioneer writes:— Throughout his too brief
reign of nine years he has never faltered or
stumbled, and it may be said that the calmness
with which the people of England have regard
ed the political crisis with which the country
is now confronted came from their perfect con
fidence that the King would find a way out
without surrendering to the demands that
would make the country ridiculous, or provok
ing a clash that would exasperate the conflict
of parties. But it is not on the political aspect
of the reign that people will be disposed to
dwell most to-day. Let us call to mind rather
other features more appropriate to the moment.
Let us think of King Edward's noble gener
osity, the gift of Osborne to the nation, how the
hospital of the metropolis have been placed on
a sound financial footing and relieved of their
former dependence on the impulses of casual
charity and of the cancer research fund. Let
us think of the aid he has given by his exam
ple to every great compassionate cause. Let
us think of his ardent love of peace, and what
his quiet but powerful influence exerted at
every opportunity, has done for the preserva
tion of peace throughout the world during the
last decade. Probably one of the highest satis-
factions amongst the many favours of fortune
that fell to him was being able to conclude the
war in South Africa before the day fixed for
his coronation. Also his mourning people
will be able to think of the unique place which
he occupied in their affections, the mutual
understanding that existed between them so
that he could mix even in a dense Derby crowd
without precaution or fear of annoyance, not
to speak of danger. At a time when class
antagonism is pronounced and politicians for
their own purposes are attempting to aggra
vate it, the figure of the King,—impartial and
equally benevolent to all—has been the sym
bol and reminder of the national unity.
His popularity with his p-&oplo has ex
tended to the whole Royal Family, whose
concerns he has so .watchfully and wisely
directed until everyone now feels that royalty
stands unquestioned' as a British institution
and that the philosophic radicalism of the mid
dle classes and the republicanism of the lower
have equally passed out of sight.
STATESMAN.
The Statesman says:—The conventional mourn-
ing which is the inevitable accompaniment of
the death of a reigning sovereign sinks into poor
insignificance when compared with the profound
feeling of personal bereavement which fills the
minds of the men and women over whom King
Edward ruled. And from the sons and daughters
of Britian, whether in the motherland or scat
tered over the far spread territories which own
fidelity to the British throne, there goes out a
sentiment of heartfelteympathy for the gracious
lady-who has played so noble a part in the life
of the King and of the nation. Like his illus-
trions mother King Edward reigned in the hearts
of the people. As Prince of Wales and as sover-
eign he entered fully into the joys and the sor-
rows of the nation. With the regal dignity of a
king he combined a deep and practical interest
in the welfare of the humblest of his subjects.
But democratic monarch though he was King
Edward never lost sight of the dignity of his
position. On ceremonial occasions he was the
ideal ruler, the embodiment of the genius of the
British race and the worthy upholder of Imperial
traditions. He recognised to -the full the res-
ponsibilities of his ■ great heritage as the power
fpr good or evil, which lies in the hands of a
king. His influence with the crowned heads of
Europe was consistently employed in the in
terests of peace and so high was his reputation
among continental nations that his intervention
was invariably regarded as the act of a lover
of concord, and not as the proceeding of a
crowned diplomat anxious to gain advantage for
his own realm. In a republic the president is
elected as the representative of a party and may
become the instrument of a faction. In a con-
stitutional monarchy the king embodies in his
person the genius and traditions of the race
and the most superficial of observers cannot
fail to perceive that the loyalty of the young
nations which have sprung up in the far south
and on the north of the American continent is
more likely to prove enduring when it centres in
a royal line, whose members hold aloof from
party rule by the people’s will None realised
better than King Edward the value of Imperial
unity. His profound interest in India was elo
quently voiced in his message on the anniversary
of the Queen’s proclamation.
THE ENGLISHMAN.
The Englishman says:—In all the cities and in
little lone lost villages, set in the vast wilds,
men and women of a hundred races and a
hundred tongues learn a new union in a new
great common grief- Those who scarce their
neighbours knew, knew well the King and loved
him for he had the secret of sharing the hearts
of men. The times are anxious, the future none
too clear, the State is like a heavy ship that
labours in a heavy sea- . . . The King was
great in a time when greatness had ceased to be
a common attribute of kings or commoners.
The King was sane and strong. The King was
essentially natural and unaffected in a day when
the artificiality of a mechanical age had pro
foundly influenced the minds of men. The King
was a statesman when statesmanship threatened
to vanish in the turbid maelstorm of party
politics and factious intrigue, when statesman
ship was never more essential to the well being
of the empire and of the world. ■ . . He had
a vast and enduring influence, not alone over his
own people over the Kingdom and the Empire
that owed him allegiance, but over many people
and states—an influence all the greater per
haps for being indirect and a matter of the
heart and head. Over fellow rulers, whether of
monarchies or of republics, King Edward showed
a head’s length high. None of them had his
intense personal magnetism, his wide calm-eyed
outlook upon men and things—his unquestioned
authority, his strong commonsense and all-saving
gift of humour. The Empire mourns; in this
sorrow all other states and men unite. But all
the Empire and the world are one in a keener
sorrow than that caused by their own loss.
This, is the sorrow that they feel for the
Queen. . . ■ The King is dead the new King
reigns.. The simple pathetic words he uttered
at his first Council will rally his subjects round
him. He has suffered most heavily of all-
With his kingdom he inherits the proffered
loyalty and affection of the world sown millions
of his subjects. May he so act as to ensure the
continued strength and growth of both empire
and loyalty. His words are of good omen; he has
promised to follow in the footsteps of his
father, to unify the Empire and fully to uphold
the Constitution and comfort his people- this
is well. His loyal people will be with him. God
Save the King.
MADRAS MAIL.
The Madras Mail, in alluding to the death
says: If anything could add to the grievousness
of the loss the nation has sustained it would
be the irony of fate that has removed him at the
very time when his sound judgment, unrivalled
tact and complete freedom from political preju
dices were most needed to compose differences
and allay passions which threaten the venerable
fabric of the British Constitutica. No statesman
has ever occupied, or could occupy, the position
which His Majesty held in the confidence of his
people, for he was above all Parties. When he
offered advice to Ministers or addresed his people
they knew that it was no visionary who spoke,
but one with a shrewd understanding of average
human nature, a just sense of proportion, a firm
grasp of the realities of world-politics, and a
constitutional aversion from those enthusiasms
in which awkward facts are conveniently forgot
ten His Majesty was a great imperialist. The
knowledge of the outlying portion of his Empire
acquired during his tours as Prince of Waxes,
supplemented by constant discussion of Imperial
problems with administrators and statesmen,
enabled him to enter very thoroughly into their
particular needs, and from the very beginning of
his reign he displayed a concern for his Colonial
and Indian subjects not less than that of Queen
Victoria. His interest has been shown not only
in important speeches and in messages to his
over-seas possessions, but also in innmuerable acts
indicative of his spontaneous and warm
affection for their peoples. His visit to
India strengthened that interest and aroused in
him a more personal regard for its Princes and
peoples, which was maintained ever afterwards,
and which found expression in his gracious and
memorable messages on his association.
THE EMPIRE.
The Empire says:—The tremendous loss we have
sustained is the one great haunting thought to-
day. We think of His Majesty’s and the French
word bonhomie springs inevitably to the mind.
The magnificent good nature which helped him
to face all the trials of his position, whether as
Prince or King with equanimity, which enabled
him to get on with men of every class, and
which made him the first diplomatist in Europe,
was doubtless owing partly to his fine constitu
tion and his vigorous health, but it would be
unjust and untrue to suggest that it was due
solely to these. It was the outcome of a really
kindly nature and of a large and sympathetic
heart. One of the finest things about the King
when he was Prince of Wales was his intense
interest in the great problem of poverty. As
King his short reign will probably strike the
historian. He was firm on the subject of his pre
rogative, but he maintained the poise of a con
stitutional sovereign with such precision that he
was implicitly trusted by every party in the
State. It is to King Edward’s lasting glory that
he maintained the splendid traditions of the
absolute impartiality of the Crown up to the
close of his life and reign. In India King Ed
ward is remembered and loved. He was the first
sovereign to visit here as Prince of Wales, his
great-hearted courtesy and his golden disposition
will never be forgotten. India has cause to love
and lament him no less than other portions of
the Empire and in the common sorrow and in
this great mutual loss it may be hoped that
England and her dependencies may be drawn more
closely together.
MADRAS TIMES.
Since January 22nd 1901, Edward VII. has been
the most popular man in the Empire says the
Madras Times. Everything that he has done and
every word that he has spoken have had the full
approval of his people. He has been in complete
touch with English feeling. His personal mag
netism was extraordinarily great. His gracious
ness has won the earts of all who have ever come
in contact with him. On the continent of Europe
there was no one who enjoyed such popularity as
the King of England. India has not seen him
since 1875, but the impression that he made then
has lasted, and his messages to his Indian subjects
have always struck the right note—that of love.
The Indian Princess and nobles who ave journeyed
to London and visited the Imperial Court have
with one voice expressed the greatest enthusiasm
for the Emperor, a Suezerai whom they were glad
and proud to obey. It is one of the greatest
possible testimonies to the amiable qualities of
the King-Emperor that the should have inspired
such deep affection in a race of subjects alieu
to him in blood. As India loved him, so will
she mourn him. It liom epolitics, of course,
His Majesty behaved in a strictly constitutional
manner. But his tact and wistom were so well re-
cognised that whenever any danger of a crisis
arose there was a feeling of confidence that if
matters could be smoothed down by anyone. King
Edward would be able to do it. To our good
Queen Alexandra and all the Royal Family we
citizens of Madras tender our deepest sympathy in
a sorrow which we share with them.
INDIAN DAILY TELEGRAPH.
The influence of King Edward’s personality
since his accession to the throne had ranked as
one of the strongest guarantees for European
peace, says the ladian Daily Telegraph. The
relationship in which he stood to the heads of
the chief States of Europe, combined with the
influence which he exerted on the foreign policy
of his country, placed him in unique position as
a mediator. The King was temperamentally good-
natured, conciliating, tactful, an excellent judge
of character, skillful in solving difficult problems
and reconciling apparently inimical interests. He
knew that strong measures were both dangerous
and costly, and that an equitable compromise
was infinitely preferable to the ost superb
struggle—diplomatic or military. The diploma
tic fact and personal worth of King Edward, as
of his revered mother, have been strikingly
demonstrated by the fact that, while their power
had been continuously curtailed by the march of
democracy, their personal influence had been
exercised discreetly and even secretly, but it
has been none the less beneficial and affective.
This was evidenced more, clearly during the
present political crisis, in which the King
showed that he was exempt from personal motives,
and had even asked for his name to be kept out
of political controversy. It was to him, and to
him alone, that the “Entente Cordiale” is attri
butable. In fact it is difficult to estimate the
value of the services which the Monarch had
rendered to his country and Europe generally,
by the exercise of his diplomatic act and poli-
tical sagacity. Although the official conduct of
State affairs was naturally left to his responsible
Ministers, the King had frequently shown that
he could take broader and more impartial views
than his advisers, for occupying a more elevated,
detached position, living in an independent,
serene atmosphere, he remained uninfluenced by
the strife of parties, the squabbles oi larliznent,
and the play of personal jealousies and pre-
judice.
SIND GAZETTE.
Since 1901, says the Sind Gazette, when Kin:
Edward succeeded his deeply beloved mother, he
has proved himself to be a worthy successor of
the great Queen and all his actions have further
strengthened the sacred links that connect the
Crown with the Empire. King Edward united
in his own person all the qualities essential to
kingship. And his strength of character, win-
ning personality. dignity combined with aftabi-
lity and, above all, his faultless tact made a
deep and lasting impression on the minds of all
who, were privileged to come into contact with
him. In India Europeans and Indians will be
united in their sorrow for the loss of one who was
both a great king and a great man. It will not
be only to his subjects that the death of King
Edward will come as a painful shock. The King
has been called and very truly, the most popular
man in Europe, and there is no European nation
that will not feel that the continent is the poors"
for his loss. His title of the “Peacemaker” testi
fies to the effect which his tactful influence has
had upon the peace of Europe and, if only from
a selfish point of view, his death cannot be regard
ed by any of the Powers as falling short of a
serious calamity. What will be the- effect of the
King’s death upon the fate of the Nation an I
the Empire it is impossible .to foresee
THE NATIVE PAPERS.
• THE HINDU.
To the people of India says the Hindu, the death
of His Imperial Majesty, means much more than
the death of a beloved sovereign in a distant land
ruling their country through his officials. The
Sovereign, to the people of this country, is the
visible embodiment of the Divine Protector,- who
dispenses justice without fear or favour, who pro
tects the weak and punishes the evil-doer,. full
of love and mercy towards his subjects. His Majesty
was long connected with India by his personal
affection and attachment to its people. The first
monarch among British Sovereigns who came into
personal touch with them by his visit to this
country in 1887 as Prince of Wales—a visit still
vividly and affectionately remembered by thou-
sands of his subjects—His Majesty continued his
interest and welfare for his Indian subjects all
along and when he ascended the Throne, His
Majesty sent a touching message to the people of
India.Nothing, however, showed the depth of
the love and loyalty of the people of this country
towards a sovereign who was regarded with so
much affection and who set to himself so high a
standard in the exercise of his functions towards
the people of this land, better than the occasion
of His Majesty’s serious illness in 1901 which
necessitated the postponing of the festivities of
the Coronation of His Majesty. The spontaneous
outbursts of feeling and anxiety for His Majesty’s
health the prayers offered for his recovery and the
services conducted in tempels mosques and chur
ches for the purpose all over India, testified to
the deep and loyal feelings which His Majesty had
already won for himself. The demise of our King-
Emperor is, as we have indicated, a great and sad
loss not only to the Empire, but to the whole civi
lised world. To say that His Majesty Edward, the
King-Emperor was respected honoured and beloved
by his subjects is to say only half the truth.
THE LEADER.
The Leader remaks:—Our late King-Emperor’s
deep concern for the welfare of his loyal Indian
subjects was well known, and valued by our
countrymen as had been Victoria ‘ the Good’s.
As Prince of Wales he visited India more than
thirty years ago. And after his accession to
the Throne he sent two gracious messages, one
on the occasion of the Delhi Durbar A public or private audience held by a high-ranking British colonial representative (e.g. Viceroy, Governor-General, or member of the British royal family). and the
other on the fiftieth anniversary of his royal
mother’s immortal Proclamation of 1858 which
was first read in this our city. The messages
it need hardly be said, were entirely worthy of
the large-hearted Sovereign who reigned in the
hearts of his peoples. King Edward < d arother
thoughtful and kindly act in sending his son,
the Prince of Wales, our present Emperor, to
make an extended tour in India that he might
personally acquaint himself with his future sub
jects. And now almost without a warning his
great work is at an end and the lamentations of
an Empire will bear testimony to the affection
and reverence with which he inspired his people.
In this hour of grief we can only sorrowfully
offer our tribute or reverence to our departed
Sovereign.
THE BENGALEE.
King Edward was not given to speech-making
or to sensational displays of his solicitude for
peace says the Bengalee But with an unsur
passed tact and masterful common sense, he moved
about European courts, cultivating the friend
ship of European sovereigns and strengthening the
bonds between them and his own people by those
ties °f mutual good-will which are more binding
than the most solemn promises contained in
parchments and treaties. His Majesty was haile
by his own people and by European nations is
the most illustrious of European diplomatisis—
the great Peacemaker of Europe. And he ful
filled this high mission of his kingly office without
recourse to those questionable arts which are
often the stock-in-trade of the diplomatist. Before
the eyes of the people of India King Edward
stood forth as the embodiment of a constitutional
sovereignty, the head of a great and free Empire,
whose full benefits of citizenship they hope to
share within a measurable distance of time. They
appreciated, and were grateful for his many
kingly virtues, and they recognized that he had
inherited the solicitude of his great mother for
the welfare of the people of India. We voice the
universal sentiment of our countrymen when we
say that throughout the Indian continent and in
our countless homes, the death of the King will
be felt in the light of a domestic calamity, for
he loved India and her people.
THE MAHRATTA.
The Mahratta writes:—It is with the profound-
est sorrow that we announce the sudden death of
King Edward VII, Emperor of India. When
human men reach the age limit of the proverb
ial three-score and ten their life is practically
forfeited to the grim Reaper Death. But we
are sorry that King Edward was not allowed
to enjoy the grace of a further lease of life
such as his royal mother Queen Victoria was
privileged to have. Especially in the best in
terests of the British Empire was such a lease
of life needed because the affairs of the Parlia
ment may be regarded just at this moment as
having reached a crisis. The King, during his
brief regime, had always exerted himself in the
cause of peace and even in the present Parlia
mentary crisis he was confidently expected to
do what may be in the best interest of the con-
stitution of the Empire. His death, therefore,
not only comes as a painful surprise but will be
sincerely mourned by the whole world.
THE ADVOCATE (LUCKNOW).
It is with very great and deep sorrow that
while we are going to the press we, says the
Advocate, received the melancholy news of the
passing away of our beloved Sovereign King-
Emperor Edward the Seventh. The news of the
sudden death of His Imperial Majesty has
come to us as a severe shock. It was on Fri
day that people were for the first time inform
ed that there was something wrong with the
lungs of the King-Emperor, but they did not
at all realise that the end would come so soon
and so suddenly. His death will be mourned
by his subjects all over the British Empire, but
nowhere more than in India, where his subjects
had been touched by his kindness and sympathy
towards them in their troubles. Since his ac
cession to the Throne pecple had begun to love
him and to look upon him with feelings of per
sonal attachment and at this critical juncture
in the history of this country his loss is con
sidered as a national calamity. We express our
deepest sympathy with Queen Alexandra and
the Royal Family in their grievous bereave
ment. May the soul of our departed and be-
loved sovereign rest in -peace is the prayer of
the--whole nation which mourns his loss.
INDIAN SOCIAL REFORMER.
The Indian Social Reformer: From no part of
the Empire will more heartfelt grief go forth at
the unexpected event than from India, which owes
a debt immense. of endless gratitude to the late
King-Emperor for the far-reaching reforms which
were introduced in his reign. Between the
Royal House of England and the princes and
people of India there has always existed a strong
bond of affection and loyalty, and it has
been very greatly strenghtened by the
gracious goodwill of King Edward.
Would that he had been spared
some years longer to carry forward the mission
of peace in which he laboured so quietly and
assiduously, will be the grief-stricken cry of the
nations of the world.
THE " RAST GOFTAR.”
The Rast Go ftar says:—The doleful
and tragic circumstances under which
the mournful and untimely death of His
Majesty the King Emperor Edward VII has
occurred has cast a deep and universal gloom
over the whole length and breadth of his world
wide dominions. The scraps of loose and scanty
information which were first conveyed to this
country of his illness prepared no one for the
impending calamity and it has come off with such
startling and sudden cruelty as to stagger every
living soul in its announcement. No one ever
entertained the faintest conception that, a cons
titution so. robust as that of the late King would
break down under what was supposed to be a few
hours’ passing illness. But a cruel fate has'
willed his millions of mourners to hear of his
illness and death on the same fatal day and it
has. not left them even the poor solace of send
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