The Story of the Malakand Field Force. By Lieutenant Winston L. Spencer Churchill. 8vo., 386pp. With maps, plans, ete. London, 1898: Longmans' Colonial Library. Shanghai: Kelly & Walsh, Ld.
Among the problems to be solved by the statesmen who have to guide the ever-susian of our Empire, there is is more perplexing than the question of how to deal with the turbulent tribesmen on the north-west frontier of India. To leave them alone is impossible unless the Government of India is prepared to put up with continual raids, accompanied by robbery and murder. To conquer them would entail great expenditure of life and treasure, embarrasing the finances of an almost bankrupt administration; and to Keep them in subjection would necessitate the establishment of numerous military posts, locking-up troops and involving heavy expense for the transport of stores.
country they ini is rugged and unproductive, and the people themselves are savages of a peculiarly refractory nature. Their whole lives are spent in family and tribal feuds, and great ferocity of character is mingled with the basest treachery and the most degrading superstition. It is impossible to tame them by methods which would escape the severest criticism from the humanitarian spirit of our age, and appeals to their reason are rendered abortive by their dense ignorance. The ordinary punitive expedition onl; gives them an opportunity for what is their favourite pastime,—a good fight. When they are beaten, they accept their defeat with good-humoured disappointment and hope to take their revenge with better luck next time. Whether the Forward Policy is or is not the correct one, the Government of India is now committed to it, and the gradual subjection of these wild mountaineers will be brought about in time. But the cost to India will be The least sign of weakness is the signal for ageneralrising. Mercy is mistaken for impotence, and that love of independence and country which alwaysdistinguishesmountain races is now mingled with the well-founded conviction that friendly overtures are only the preliminaries to the eventual loss of their freedom. Our great neighbours in Central Asia in the subjection of the Turkomians adopted effectual tactics which are impossible for us. Resistance was followed by punishment of such awful severity that the memory of it has endured.
subdued, the tribes have been pro-vitiated and made friendly and loyal. Their chiefs have been given honourable positions and titles, and are allowed to mix on equal terms with their conquerors. But such methods, however mercial in the result, are the prerogatives of irresponsible power, and s Government ruled by the unreasoning sentimentality of Exeter Hall is powerless to take the only course which would stop the present troubles for ever and also relieve the finances of India froma constant drain.
The book we are reviewing gives an excellent description of the country and the people, and enables the reader to judge of the enormous difficulties troops have to encounter when operating among these mountain fastnesses. The history of the late expedition under Sir Bindon Blood has been so lately told in the newspapers. that it is unnecessary to remind our readers of the causes which necessitated it and of the subsequent operations. In this book they will find an interesting account of the events which led up to: the attack on
data, and the fighting which followed in the country of the Mahnundsis very graphically described. Good maps help to make the narrative clear. The story. is well told, and the soldier-like writing but rarely lapses into journalese. The style is generally good and, when the author had learned. to curb a passion for scattering commas about, a passion which seems to have assailed him with great violence on page 312, he should produce really excellent work. Ho has a keen sight for those interesting details which make a narrative vivid, and the excitement, exultation, heroism, and horrors of war are laid before the reader with a restraint which makes a deep impression, Those who love to read of gallant deeds and devotion to duty and steady courage under extreme danger, and endurance under bitter hardship, should read this book, and they will thoroughly enjoy it.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.