The Fortnightly Review: No. CCCCLXIII, New Series [‎604v] (99/239)

68
THE MARQUIS OF LANSDOWNE.
India, to admit of the rapid concentration of troops at any given
point on our vulnerable side. It has been said that the military
pace in India during Lord Lansdowne’s vice-royalty was finan
cially killing. Without question the expenditure was great, but
he was guilty of no imprudence. The work of strengthening the
frontier admitted of no postponement. Lord Lansdowne did not
shrink from the responsibility, and the masterful resource by
which the strain was met places him in the front rank of finan
ciers.
He, however, never lost sight of a peaceful issue and made
persistent, though unostentatious, overtures to the Amir, but re
ceived no encouragement. Pursuant to this policy in 1892, he
despatched an important mission under Lord Roberts to Jellalabad,
diplomatically suggested as the rendezvous, but Abdur Rahman
declined to receive it. It was said that the Amir was intimi
dated from receiving Roberts by the presence on his frontier of
a “scientific” expedition of 400 Russians, w T hich suddenly was
transformed into 2,000 well-appointed troops. Undeterred by
want of success in the past, Lord Lansdowne despatched the
mission under Sir Mortimer Durand in the following year, and
his persistence was at length rewarded with success. A satisfac
tory understanding with Abdur Rahman was arrived at which
lasted until his death, and was renewed by his successor.
The policy of employing the troops of the native States in de
fence of the Empire was developed by Lord Lansdowne. In
1889 measures were taken to coordinate the drill and arms of
these forces with those of the Indian troops, so as to render them
capable of taking the field with the latter. The Imperial Contin
gent, as the specially selected bodies are called, is now a recog
nised auxiliary to the defences of India.
Although foreign affairs occupied Lord Lansdowne’s constant
and anxious attention during his entire term of office, he never
lost sight of the great importance of domestic and social reform,
fhe state of India afforded him scope for developing his schemes
of progressive conservatism. He furthered with his heartiest
approval the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Bill of 1890.
Twenty various Acts dealing with this subject had been passed
by the local councils but were easily evaded, and had become in
effective. The need for systematised legislation was urgent.
Half-starved horses with festering sores were common sights in
Indian, as in Italian, cities. Draft cattle w T ere frequently sub
jected to brutal floggings and other ill-treatment. It was stated
that the Calcutta butchers not infrequently flayed goats alive.
Under the Act promoted by Lord Lansdowne, the brute creation
in India enjoy practically the same protection as in the United