WAR MEMOIRS OF DAVID LLOYD GEORGE 1917

14 WAR MEMOIRS OF DAVID LLOYD GEORGE
India will prove to be in every way one of the most loyal and
productive parts of the Empire.
"The Indian's point of view is 'You English have educated us.
You have brought us to an intense desire to look after ourselves:
when you want us you call us fellow citizens of a Great Empire,
but when it comes to business you give us nothing but "concessions.
" We love our country, we want you to give us a real chance
of doing something for it.'
"The Englishman replies: 'You are not ready for any more.
We must have efficiency in our administration, and you can't
come in and really help us administer until you can show more
character and honesty.'
"But the Englishman will not realise that the Indian can't learn
unless he is given a chance to do so. Of course, it is true that the
advance of the Indian means the gradual disappearance of this
great Civil Service out here, but that, if the Indians are given a
real chance to progress, is inevitable. I only write this outline of
view to ask you to keep in mind this great country after the War
is over. India has done her part nobly during the War, and while
she asks for nothing because of that, I think she deserves to be
generously treated. It is such an opportunity for a statesman to
bind, I believe for long years, this great people in the bonds of
amity and Imperial Unity, that I hope you may remember this
outburst, for the question is one of real Imperial concern.
"I am afraid we are in for a bad time up the Gulf; why is it
that somebody blunders so often? We want a victory badly out
here — Gallipoli and this last business in the Gulf have unsettled
people a bit, but I think that bar Bengal, India will be staunch.
"All good wishes to you, and all congratulations on your munition
efforts. I only hope the result may be the pulverisation of
our foe before long.
Yours sincerely,
WlLLINGDON."
The next came to me immediately after my appointment
as Premier.