Several Chiefs recommend more summary proceedings and less publicity in the case of political offences, as, though such measures may appear arbitrary at first sight, “they are quite suited to the country.”  Several agree that a closer watch should be kept on “religious mendicants” who go about in the guise of Sadhus preaching sedition, and that a more intimate exchange of secret intelligence should take place with regard to the seditious propaganda between the different States and the Government of India.  Others believe in the creation of counter-organizations to inform and encourage the loyal elements.

But it is perhaps on the question of education that some of the Ruling Chiefs speak with the greatest weight and authority, and there is nothing they more deeply deplore than the divorce of secular instruction from religious and moral training, which they hold responsible for much of the present mischief.  “Strange as it may sound,” says the Rajah of Dewas, “it is a well-known fact that the germs of the present unrest in India were laid by that benefactor of the human race, education.”  Another Chief is of opinion that, as the formation of character is the highest object of education, all public schools should be graded by the results they achieve in this direction rather than by high percentages in examinations; whilst others strongly recommend the extension of the residential college system and greater care in the selection of good teachers.

One may possibly not agree with all the opinions expressed or with all the recommendations made in this correspondence, but their general uniformity cannot fail to carry weight.  It certainly carried weight with both the Government of India and the Imperial Government.  Not only did it admittedly contribute to the enactment of the Indian Press Bill of February last, but it has probably also contributed to bring about a more general recognition of the urgency of the Indian educational problem.  The effect produced in India itself by the publication of the views held by the rulers of Native States, many of whom enjoy great prestige and influence far beyond the limits of their immediate dominions, was naturally considerable.  The “extremists” were lashed to fury, and none of the seditious leaflets directed against the “alien” rulers and “sun-dried bureaucrats” was more violent than one issued in reply to these utterances of the rulers of their own race.  One of the ruling Chiefs to whom it had been sent gave me a copy of it as “a characteristic document.”  It is headed:  “Choose, O Indian Princes.”  It begins, it is true, by assuring them that there is not as yet any cut-and-dried scheme for dealing with them.