(    27    )

has created a w'idespread conviction among them that
the healthy progress of the country will not be 'ensured
unless power is given to them to promote it. This was
a factor in the problem even in 1914. The events of
the last four years have intensified its importance and
added a" new elemeht to the situation.

The Effects of the War.

21.   Before the  war Indians based their claim tq a
share in the Government  of their country  on  natural
right and justice, which was supported by the pledges of
the British  Sovereign and Parliament.    That claim has
received additional strength by the part which  India
has played in the war.    India will ever be grateful to
Lord  Hardinge for   having   sent   her   Expeditionary
Force to help England and France in the great fight
for liberty,  right and justice, and   she   is    naturally
proud  of all   the help which her  Princes and  people
have  given  to  the  British  Empire  in the hour of her
great need.    It has been acknowledged that but for the
timely  and powerful  help of the Indian contingent  the
fortunes of the war  would have been very adversely
affected  in  France towards the end of 1914.    It is also
indisputable that but for India's splendid rally, British
prestige would have suffered  irretrievably in the  East.
In  view of this  achievement 01 which any nation may
be proud, Indians ask what reason is there for  Eng¬
land  not permitting them even partly to manage their
domestic affairs now  as Canada and Australia  and the
other  self-governing British Colonies do.    Mr. Montagu
and Lord Chelmsford have taken full note of the effects
of the war on India.   They have observed :—" The war
has given to India a new sense of self-esteem."    She
has  in the words of Sir Satyendra Sinha, " a feeling of
profound   pride that she has not   fallen behind other
portions of the British  Empire but has stood shoulder