228 TRANSACTIONS OF THE CANADIAN INSTITUTE. (Vox.. VIIT. 
Attempts have been made to justify these wars and these expenditures. 
on the ground that they were necessary for the defence of India. No 
such justification is possible. In nearly every case they have been wars. 
of pure aggression and conquest, waged for the purpose of extending the 
boundaries of the British Empire. The latest illustration is the recent 
military campaign in Tibet, disguised under the name of a ‘‘peaceful. 
mission,’ but an act of aggression both in its inception and its execution,,. 
costing $5,000,000 and several thousand lives. If the Empire is going 
to carry on wars for the purpose of extending its territory and power, 
at least let it pay the expenses, and not lay them as new burdens on the: 
back of poor India! 
THe TRUE DEFENCE AGAINST RUSSIA. 
Attempts have been made to justify India’s large army and heavy 
military expenditures on the ground of danger from Russia—fear of a 
Russian invasion. The folly of such a fear has been shown again and 
again by military men themselves. There is no danger from Russia so 
long as India is contented and loyal. Distant Russia can no more con- 
quer a loyal India than she can conquer distant Japan and China. Danger 
can arise only on the condition of India becoming discontented and ready 
to welcome Russia. Let us tax India, lay burdens on her, deprive her 
of her rights, refuse to listen to her just complaints, until we have created 
in her people a spirit of desperation and revolt, and then there will be a 
danger which all our military outlays will be powerless against. Some 
Englishmen see this. Said Sir Auckland Colvin: “‘If we enter upon a 
course of excessive measures of fresh taxation, Russia, without moving a 
man or a gun, need only abide her time.’’ This distinguished Indian 
administrator saw the true and only permanently effective defence of 
India against Russia. That defence is to be found in an Indian govern- 
ment free from injustice and oppression, which guards the interests of 
the people, promotes their prosperity, and thus makes them contented 
and happy and loyal. : 
THE DESTRUCTION OF INDIA’S NATIVE MANUFACTURES. 
Another very serious cause of the impoverishment of the Indian 
people is the destruction of so many native industries, through govern- 
ment taxation, tariff enactments and other legislation. When the British 
first came to India, the land was full of manufactures; it was one of the 
first manufacturing countries of the world. India’s cotton goods, silk 
goods, shawls, muslins of Dacca, brocades of Ahmedabed, pottery of 
Scind, jewelry, metal work, lapidary work, were famed in many lands. 
