§ 41. Sir JOHN JARDINEasked the Secretary of State for India whether he can give information in some detail as to the contributions made by the Mahratta, Rajput, and Mussalman chiefs and princes of India as regards troops, funds, ambulances, and hospitals to assist His Majesty's Armies in the various theatres of war?
§ The SECRETARY Of STATE for INDIA (Mr. Chamberlain)I ask the indulgence of the House for the very long answer which I am about to give:—
A very bulky and detailed statement of the offers of service in connection with the War made, by Ruling Chiefs and important persons and associations in India has been received from the Government of India, and copies have been placed in the Library.
The statement includes the offers and gifts that were enumerated in the telegram which the Under-Secretary of State read to the House on 9th September last year, and which has since been presented to Parliament; but even the most monumental of these have since been largely increased. It is impossible to summarise these additions, which still continue to be received as the progress of the War has given fresh opportunities of service; but the House will, perhaps, permit me to quote one or two examples to illustrate the spirit that animates the whole of India.
Besides the Chiefs mentioned last year, the rulers of Nawanagar, Rajkot, Baria, Jamkhandi, Akalkot, Savanur, Barwani, Loharu, and Wankaner have been permitted to go on active service in one or other of the spheres of operations.
In addition to the Imperial Service troops originally selected from among those offered, contingents from the following States have also been accepted for service in India or abroad:—Junagadh, Khairpur, Nawanagar, Bhavnagar, Janjira, Tehri, Bahawalpur, Maler Kotla, Sirmur, Bhopal, and Idar.
Three hospital ships, equipped and maintained from unofficial sources, have left 1784 the shores of India—the "Loyalty," given jointly by a number of Ruling Chiefs; the "Madras," given by the Madras War Fund; and the "Bengali," given by the people of Bengal. The last was, most unfortunately, wrecked on its way to the Persian Gulf; the first two have been continuously employed this year in carrying sick and wounded between India and the theatres of war.
The Nizam of Hyderabad has offered 60 lakhs for the expenses of one of his Imperial Service regiments, which has gone to the front, and of the Cavalry Regiment of the Indian Army, of which he is honorary colonel. The Maharaja of Mysore, besides the 50 lakhs he had already given, has offered the services of his State in many other practical ways. The Maharaja Sindhia of Gwalior, whose health has prevented him from going to the front, has made further munificent gifts in money and in kind, including a motor ambulance fleet and six armoured aeroplanes. The Begum of Bhopal, in addition to large contributions to relief funds and other services, has sent 500 Korans for sick and wounded Moslem soldiers. The Gaekwar of Baroda gave 5 lakhs of rupees for the purchase of aeroplanes. The Maharajas of Kashmir and Patiala and the Jam of Nawanagar, besides other services, are jointly maintaining a hospital for officers in a house at Staines, which His Highness the Jam has given for the purpose.
It is not possible to enumerate the offers and the contributions of various kinds that have been received from individuals and from associations in British India. It must suffice to say that they demonstrate the firm determination of all classes and creeds to take their place in fulfilling all the positive duties of citizenship.
Nor have the notabilities and tribes of the borderland been behind the inhabitants of British India in the spontaneity of their expressions of loyalty. The offers of service by the Frontier Militias, the proposal of the Khyber tribes to furnish an armed contingent, and the subscription by the Wazirs of Bannu of their allowances for one month to the Relief Fund, are striking examples.
1785 Beyond the border, the Chiefs of Baluchistan made valuable offers of camels, and the Sheikhs of Koweit and Bahrein contributed to charitable funds in India. The Maharaja of Bhutan, besides offering the financial and military resources of his State, contributed a lakh of rupees to the Relief Fund. The Prime Minister of Nepal added largely to the munificent gifts mentioned last year, and has rendered His Majesty's Government most valuable services by the military facilities which he has accorded. The Dalai Lama of Tibet, as was stated last year, offered 1,000 soldiers at the outbreak of War; his continued sympathy with the cause of the Allies is shown by the fact that on hearing of General Botha's victories in South-West Africa he ordered flags to be hoisted on the hills around Lhassa, and special prayers to be offered for further victories. It will not perhaps be out of place in this connection if I add that His Majesty's Government have received striking proofs of the friendship of the Amir of Afghanistan and of his determined loyalty to the British alliance.
It has not been possible for the Government to avail themselves of all these many and varied offers of service, but our appreciation of them is not less on that account. And the House will agree with me in seeing in them conclusive evidence of the unshaken solidarity of the princes and peoples of India and of the neighbouring countries, without distinction of race or religion, in defence of the vital interests of the Empire.
§ Sir JOHN JARDINEArising out of that answer, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he will take measures to have this fine statement of the loyalty of the chiefs and peoples of India and surrounding countries translated into the language of Europe, especially of our Allies, and in some way communicated to those nations that anticipated a different state of things there?
§ Mr. CHAMBERLAINI think news of this kind will find its own way into circulation.
§ Sir J. RANDLESWill the right hon. Gentleman consider the desirability of some expression of appreciation from this 1786 House reaching the princes and chiefs concerned, either by Motion or otherwise, as he may see fit to bring before our notice, and which would give an opportunity to this House to express its appreciation in some marked and distinct manner?
§ Mr. CHAMBERLAINThat is a question on which I must consult the Prime Minister. If I might venture to express my personal opinion in the meantime, I would say the time has hardly yet come for it, and the House must consider the assistance it has had from all portions of the Empire at the same time, whenever it makes any recognition of it.