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100 Years Ago | 20 April 1919

On this day a century ago, these were some of the news items The Statesman readers got to read about India and the world.

100 Years Ago | 20 April 1919

OCCASIONAL NOTE

The Spanish Government has been as successful in keeping the outside world in a state of ignorance as to the course of events in its country as it has been in keeping Spain out of the war, so that it is not easy to guess the reason for its latest resignation. One thing is certain, however, and that is that the Barcelona problem has been steadily growing in dimensions and complexity. During the last crisis a few weeks ago Count Romanones, the then Prime Minister, explained that the position at Barcelona was complicated because Syndicalism was involved with Bolshevism, there was a certain amount of discontent among the officers of the Army, and there were other troubles. The chief danger, however, according to the Count, was from Bolshevism and Syndicalism, and this was regarded as so grave that Barcelona’s constitutional liberties were suspended, three cruisers, a destroyer, and four submarines were brought into the harbour, and an old pre-Dreadnought battleship was converted into a floating prison for the reception of the lawless elements. The Government wished to resign on this occasion, but was persuaded otherwise. Now it has handed in its resignation again, and it remains to be seen whether the trouble is the same as before and also whether King Alfonso will accept the resignation. It is easier to accept than to demit office, in Spain.

FALSE ALARM OF LOOT

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About 7-45 on Saturday night a false alarm of loot was raised at Chandney, resulting in a panic among the shopkeepers. It appears that a ticca gharry coachman and an Indian fare were having an altercation and from words came to blows. Some boys raised an alarm of loot, whereupon several shopkeepers left their shops, while others ran to the Fenwick Bazar outpost and asked for police help. In a few minutes a European sergeant with a number of constables from the outpost and Bow Bazar thana were on the spot, but there was no sign of any trouble. While the police were making inquiries another panic was caused by some persons shouting that an aeroplane was hovering overhead. The aeroplane existed, of course, only in the imagination of the scaremongers. The police remained in the locality until excitement died down and then returned to their respective stations.

WIDOWS HELP FUND

Mr. William F. Walke of Russell Street, has undertaken a work of real practical philanthropy, and hopes with the assistance of charitably-minded Calcutta people to do good work in behalf of a class of the community who are often overlooked. He has started the Widows’ Help Fund, to give assistance to widows in Calcutta who are in straightened circumstances. The idea is to start widows in business on a small scale, and thus to help those who help themselves. One widow who has been set up in a boarding house will shortly be able to repay the sum advanced to her, and with it another widow will be helped. Two others have been started jam-making (this in conjunction with Mr. Abbot), and Mr. Walke now wants sufficient funds to start a dairy and chickenrun. In doing this he feels that he will not only be helping the widows, but through them enabling Europeans to secure good milk and eggs for their children.

INDIAN RAILWAYS

In the House of Commons, replying to Commander Bellairs, Mr. Fisher stated that the Secretary of State was not aware that the standard of efficiency in Indian railway administration was relatively low or that famine relief measures were impeded by the inability of railways to carry supplies, but, with a view to ascertaining what improvements were possible, he had already arranged with the Government of India for a comprehensive inquiry by a committee into the whole question of management. The committee would doubtless take into account any legislation dealing with transportation that Parliament might enact, and would consider whether similar arrangements were applicable to India. The Secretary of State entirely agreed with the questioner regarding the necessity for avoiding departmental competition.

GERMAN MISSIONARIES IN HONGKONG

In the House of Commons General Page Croft drew attention to the report that German missionaries in Hongkong were actively undermining British interests, and urged the repatriation of all Germans in Hongkong. Colonel Amery replied that the only German missionaries in Hongkong were eight women who had been charge of charitable institutions under supervision. They were now being sent back to Germany. All other Germans had long since been removed from the colony except three, two of whom were only technically German subjects and the third a man of British sympathies whose exemption was specially requested by the military authorities.

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