 |
vol. title: Miscellaneous Scraps from January 1st 1878 vol. period: 1875-1878 pages in vol.: 153 |
< More Sermons about Hell (continued from page 5-28) >
...
Mr. Oliphant`s Removal
A serious misunderstanding has arisen between the Government of India and Sir Salar Jung. The distinguished Minister of the Nizam has had in his employment for the last two years an English gentleman, named Oliphant, who has discharged with much efficiency and zeal the duties of private secretary. The Government of India claim the power of ordering the removal and of preventing the appointment of any European in an official capacity at a native court. The origin of this pretension is easily discovered in the historical relation of the English in India to rival European powers, but since the establishment of British supremacy it has rarely been exercised. It has now been suddenly revived by the Calcutta Foreign Office. Sir Salar Jung has been peremptorily requested to dismiss Mr. Oliphant, and having no power to resist, he has calmly acquiesced. But the significance of the blow consists in the fact that all India believes it has been levelled at the Minister himself. There have been some delicate questions at issue between the Government of India and Sir Salar Jung ever since the visit of the latter to England in 1876. One of these refers to the occupation of the Berars, which we hold as security for the payment of the Nizam's Contingent. Sir Salar Jung, having restored the finances of Hyderabad to order, is of opinion that the Berars ought to be surrendered to the Nizam, since this is no longer doubtful that the payment for the Contingent can be punctually discharged. The Government of India, however, declared the case to be closed; and though Sir Salar Jung obtained Lord Salisbury's permission to reopen it, his relations with the Calcutta Foreign Office became painfully strained, and he felt his grievances so keenly that he drew up a statement of them in a pamphlet printed for private circulation. The responsibility of the publication, and also of having encouraged the Nizam's Minister in his resistance to the nomination of a colleague in the Regency to whom he was personally hostile, was thrown, it appears, without sufficient proof, upon Mr. Oliphant. The indignity will be keenly felt at Hyderabad, and we cannot help thinking that the moment was badly chosen to offend the principal Mussulman State in India.
The Famine in Madras
Calcutta, Dec. 16.—From Madras prospects are reported to be generally good. The total number on the works is now 208,590, or 29,280 less than last week, and in receipt of gratuitous relief 317,001, or 48,588 less than last week. In Mysore sowing and harvesting continue, and the standing crops are stated to be in good condition. The number on the works on the 1st inst. was 66,271, and in receipt of charitable relief 19,480, being respectively 6,810 and 1,978 less than in the previous week. Great distress, however, is still said to prevail.
The following is an extract from the report of a special relief officer: <... continues on page 5-30 >
Editor's notes