Logo

Logo

100 Years Ago | 23 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 | 23 April 1919

OCCASIONAL NOTE

In Rangoon, as at Dhariwal, there are apparently critics who consider that the Government of India were wanting in firmness and perspicacity at the beginning of the present crisis. “The happenings at Delhi,” remarks the Rangoon Times, “ought to have been sufficient to warn the Governor- General in Council as to the manner in which the Satyagraha movement would be utilised by the forces of anarchy; and had the action taken now been taken on the Monday morning after the Delhi riots, much bloodshed would have been avoided.” This is possible, but the subsequent events at Amritsar, Lahore and Ahmedabad are evidence that the unrest was widespread, and it is not altogether beyond the bounds of possibility that the Government of India may have had special information relative to the state of things at some at least of these stations. So far as Amritsar, Gujranwala and Lahore are concerned, it will be admitted that their action was firm enough, and it may not have been altogether by accident that large bodies of troops were within hailing distance of Amritsar when the trouble came to a head. The historian may find, of course, that the unruly elements in Northern India were encouraged by successive displays of weakness at Delhi and Simla, spread over several years, but in this connection it is permissible to hope that the Government of India, no less than the anarchists of Amritsar and Lahore, have profited by the drastic lesson they have just been taught.

ALLEGED FORGERY

Advertisement

Panchanan Ghosal, a clerk in the employ of Messrs, Jardine Skinner and Co., was placed yesterday before the Chief Presidency Magistrate, on charges of forgery and attempt at cheating. From the opening statement of Rai Bahadur T.N. Sadhu, it appeared that accused was employed in the jute department of the firm, and, by some means or other, obtained possession of a “re-fund advice” sent by the Port Commissioners to the firm’s Export Department in respect of Rs 29 and odd, which was the amount that had been paid in excess by Messrs. Jardine Skinner in the shape of duty. Accused, as alleged, forged the signature of the firm on this “advice” form, making it payable to Panchanan Ghose, and presented it for payment at the Port Commissioners’ office. Unfortunately for accused, payment was made by a crossed cheque on the Bank of Bengal, and consequently, he was unable to cash it. As the sum was not forthcoming, Messrs. Jardine Skinner wrote to the Port Commissioners, when the whole fraud came out. Mr. Murray, of the firm, and two other witnesses, having been examined, the hearing was adjourned.

BOMBAY COTTON EXCHANGE

BOMBAY, APR 22

Mr. G. Wiles, Chairman of the Bombay Cotton Contracts Board, has prepared an interesting scheme for establishing a new cotton exchange in Bombay. He points out that the Bombay cotton trade is at present gravely handicapped by lack of a central exchange, and says it is proposed to erect on a new site which has been obtained on the Ballard estate an exchange building large enough to permit the entire cotton trade of Bombay being conducted therein. The scheme involves considerable alterations, but Mr. Wiles believes the alterations are for the better and necessary if Bombay is to take its proper place in the world’s cotton markets. The estimated cost of the new exchange is sixteen lakhs. It is proposed to raise this sum from the trade by debentures, which will be repayable out of a sinking fund to be provided out of the profits of fees and rents.

DELHI RIOTS CASE

DELHI, APR 22

In the case against Shanker Lal, Secretary of the Home Rule League, and others, the Crown today applied for a ten days’ remand from the District Magistrate. The charge against the accused is one of dacoity and rioting in that they are alleged to have assaulted a C.I.D. inspector and carried away his revolver and watch. It was stated on behalf of the prosecution that more accused in connection with the same case were yet to be arrested and the necessary house searches had to be made. Mr. Asaf Ali, on behalf of the accused, applied for bail on the ground that no evidence against them had been produced. The application of the Crown for a remand was granted.

POSTMEN ON STRIKE AT ALLAHABAD

ALLAHABAD, APR 22

Seventy postmen attached to the General Post Office at Allahabad went on strike this morning. The version of the strikers is that their memorial for increased wages submitted to the Government was not forwarded by the local postmaster, and they also complain of inconsiderate treatment. The collector tried to induce the men to resume duty but they refused and have been suspended. There was no delivery today.

Advertisement