British civil servant

This is absolutely alarmist. The famine in India 100 years ago covered 70 square kilometers, which is already a very scary figure.In terms of area, this is one-third to one-fourth of the area of ​​British India.

It is completely in line with the description of the great famine in the ancient Chinese history books. If the area of ​​the great famine is larger than that of the previous great famine, to fight against something, it is better to surrender early with white underwear on the head.

As soon as he opened his mouth, he used a heavy tone, attributed the imminent tone, and attributed the main reason to the drought.

At the same time, he said that the Governor-General of British India had given an early warning, which can be regarded as doing his best to contain it. Now he hopes that the Muslim League and the National Congress will abandon their previous suspicions and jointly deal with the Governor-General.

Of course, this is not all. Sir Baron later said that if a large-scale drought occurs, it will be difficult for the subcontinent to tide over the difficulties, because the population of British India is too large, and no matter how the local rescue is, it will not be able to meet the needs here.

What's more, the United Kingdom itself is an island country, and it is not good at agriculture. It is a well-known fact that the United Kingdom must import food to meet domestic demand.

Regarding the problem of overpopulation in British India, it is also a kind of euphemism. The famous Prime Minister of the British Empire, Winston Churchill, said more bluntly about the Bengal famine, "It's all the fault of the Indians. They are breeding like rabbits." .”

However, when the Ukrainian famine broke out in the Soviet Union in the 30s, Churchill once said at full speed, "It is a well-known fact that Stalin used natural disasters to cleanse Ukrainians who have always been disobedient."

The famine in British India was the fault of the Indians because Indians breed like rabbits.It was Stalin's fault that the famine broke out in Ukraine. It was Stalin who deliberately wiped out the Ukrainians by means of natural disasters.

It is undeniable that the Soviet Union and countries similar to the Soviet Union have indeed tightened their belts and tried their best to assist other countries because of the problem of saving face.

But Churchill's remarks, most people with IQ will not believe it. As for the majority of people in the world who do not have IQ, that is another problem.

Sir Barron's words mainly revolved around two points. First, this is a natural disaster, and second, there are too many Indians to save.After setting the tone, he said that the Governor's Office has been doing its best recently, which is a fact that everyone can see.

"We have been doing our best to help the Indians, but with little success." Alan Wilson's voice was heavy and his tone was very sad, "But it must be admitted that many people are confrontational towards the decision-making of the Governor's Palace. Not only do they not obey the Governor's Palace Orders are also specifically done in reverse. For example, hoarding behaviors in many cities, stable food prices in famine years are the most important thing. Food prices are rising, let alone now."

Seeing the leaders of the Muslim League and the Congress Party showing approval, Alan Wilson continued, "This is an extraordinary period. No matter how the Congress Party and the Muslim League protest, I must first state the position of the Governor's Office. As for the problem of hoarding, as long as the drought lasts for a day, the government’s treatment will always be severe. In order to save more people, sometimes it is inevitable to kill some bad people.”

Gandhi was startled by the face-changing of Alan Wilson in this Sichuan opera. Even Ali Jinnah and Nehru frowned and didn't know what they were thinking.

"Alan is a young man after all. Sometimes he is impulsive when faced with a crisis. He really wants the drought to pass quickly." Sir Barron said lightly, "This is just a way to express indignation, I hope Dear guests, don't mind."

"The most important thing now is unity. Although the difficulties are very great. But if we can get help from the Congress Party and the Muslim League, I personally believe that British India will be able to survive the crisis this time."

Sir Baron first shirked the responsibility completely, showing that it was all the fault of the Indians, and then when it came to the stage of giving sweet dates, he was still optimistic about the future of British India.

Alan Wilson is still an upright person, saying that in fact, the Governor's Office has always known what the Congress Party and the Muslim League want, and he understands the idea of ​​independence in his heart, but as a manager, British India itself has no decision-making power.

The decision-making power rests in London, and now the two parties have ruled out the delegation to go to London for talks. Before the matter comes to fruition, the two parties will help the Governor-General to tide over the difficulties.

"Unless the party's interests are above the safety of the people of the entire subcontinent, otherwise, I can't think of why we can't unite. Time is running out now, and the situation is getting worse every day." Alan Wilson said, using the moral kidnapping technique, " If this happens, it's hard to imagine what your purpose in advocating independence is."

"I don't know what the specific measures of the Governor's Palace are." Nehru glanced at the British opposite with the white of his eyes, and asked the most concerned question.

Of course, please ask Gandhi to go on a hunger strike!However, the atmosphere has not yet been set in place, so it is not appropriate to say so now.

He waved his hand and asked Edel to take out some telegrams and put them in front of the representatives of the Congress Party and the Muslim League. There was also Lagardia, Director of the United Nations Rehabilitation and Relief Administration, describing the famine that spread to the Eurasian continent. There are signs of famine in a wide range, from the Rhine to the Han River.

We cut off Nehru's hint that he wants foreign aid, and if there is foreign aid, it will only supply the local people. What do the local elites in these colonies think?Now it can be said that there are not many places where there is no food shortage.

"Considering the huge population of British India, the fight against the drought this time must be based on self-rescue." Alan Wilson said with a serious face, "Only by letting the majority of people work together can we get good results."

"We have also used diplomatic agencies to inquire about the situation of other countries and seek goodwill assistance from friendly countries." Sir Barron once again showed the demeanor of a weak link in imperialism, and did not say anything dead.

Of course, it takes time to seek foreign aid and requires extensive mediation, and there may be things that cannot be quenched in the long-term. Therefore, Sir Barron also said that his assistant is right. The fight against this drought should be based on self-help.

Near noon, at the luncheon for the National Congress Party and the Muslim League, the Governor's Office brought out the prepared Indian flying cakes, indicating that the Governor's Office is now saving money, practicing thrift, and working with the people of the subcontinent to fight this time. drought.

The attitude has already been established. Even the ruling center of British India, the Governor-General of British India, is saving food and clothing, sharing the responsibility with the general public of British India. There is nothing to blame.

After lunch, the talks began to enter the deep water area, which was based on self-rescue, how to save more people to the maximum extent, and now the granary of the United Provinces was wiped out by a fire.

Bangladesh itself is densely populated, and the supply of food produced is difficult.How can there be spare power to supply other places.

The problem has come to the granary of British India, Punjab province, which is a province where the peace believers have an absolute advantage, and they probably share the same account with the Sikhs.

Decades later, the people who surrounded New Delhi because of Modi's agricultural reform were the Sikhs in Punjab, India.

The Governor's Mansion made a moderate appeal, hoping that the Muslim League would show solidarity and use the surplus food to support other regions. Of course, it was just an appeal, not mandatory.

This almost made Nehru angry, and the local governor's office, which should not be forced, insisted on its own opinion.

Where it should be mandatory, the Governor's Office instead began to say that everyone can discuss it, but don't force it.

Punjab Province is the granary of British India. Isn't it just a matter of the Governor's Office to mobilize food?Now that these British people have turned around gorgeously, wouldn't they let themselves beg Ali Jinnah and come to be slaughtered?

Ali Jinnah glanced at Nehru, and his heart was quite complicated. On the one hand, he hoped that Nehru would speak up, but on the other hand, he was afraid that the other party would speak up. When the drought came, he would send the food from the peace church gathering area to support other provinces.

"This time the drought has affected a wide range of places, and there are also a large number of peace believers." Before Nehru spoke, Ali Jinnah decided not to embarrass this old opponent, saying that the peace believers also had no food left.

"We also know that this drought is for everyone, no matter what religion they are." Alan Wilson sullenly, he was waiting for Ali Jinnah's words, and said in a heavy tone, "Religion is involved The problem, the Governor's Palace is not suitable for making a statement, and the affairs of British India have always been complicated..."

Even if the food from Punjab is taken out, it is actually not enough, not to mention what kind of disaster relief, the United Kingdom has to help the British-occupied areas recover, so no food?

The Governor's Office tended to express its non-interference attitude, which made Nehru very angry, and really wanted to make a fuss. This is the method of divide and rule. For more than 100 years, the British have never changed.

"Thank you for the understanding of the Governor's Office. As I said before, regardless of belief or region, this drought is facing everyone. The foundation is to save yourself, not beg for help." Ali Jinnah expressed to Sir Barron In order to express my gratitude, I also told Nehru from the side, wishing myself luck.

Regarding the hope of Punjab's grain, the suggestion of pulling other places, was just aborted.

Sir Barron did not hold on to it, but said that he would find an opportunity to communicate in private. After all, even the party leaders have to go back and persuade their supporters, so don't be in such a hurry.

The last topic is about the central idea of ​​this meeting. After the Punjab food problem returned without success, all the pressure was on Gandhi's side. Alan Wilson suggested at the right time, "What does Mr. Gandhi think about the campaign to save food?" ?”

Chapter 242 Gandhi Announces Hunger Strike

Are you not a Mahatma, non-violent non-cooperation?Do we really think our British Empire is paper?

Regarding the issue of children being emotional and not eating, Alan Wilson, who has been severely beaten by the society, has only one wise saying, beating lightly!

If it weren't for the severe damage to the British mainland after two world wars, and there was a clear enemy and a suspicious ally there, what would it have to do with London if you starved yourself to death?

Gandhi's hunger strike was supported by the international environment, and it was not a game.

Gandhi had nearly twenty hunger strikes in his life, each time for a different reason.

The first time he went on a hunger strike was because a girl and two boys had a serious deviant behavior in a rural area of ​​India. The 44-year-old Gandhi decided to go on a hunger strike for seven days. Only eat one meal.

To mediate the relationship between the two major religions, to oppose colonial rule, and so on, hunger strikes are carried out in different ways, and the duration is also long or short.

Now that British India is facing a drought, the British Empire now needs you to go on a hunger strike. Please accept it with the courage of a saint.

Alan Wilson's words don't have much rhetorical elements in them. Although they are implied, they are also very straightforward.

"I don't know Mr. Allen, what do you think I can do?" Gandhi looked at the British across the table with deep eyes, and already had a guess in his heart.

"If one man of general appeal could lead this campaign of food conservation, the consumption of British India would be greatly reduced. Many people would probably not have starved to death. But few have the stature. "Alan Wilson said this and looked at Gandhi himself with expectant eyes, "There is just one..."

Gandhi hadn't spoken yet, but Nehru couldn't bear it anymore. This is moral kidnapping!British India contributed so much to the British Empire, now something went wrong to make Gandhi go on hunger strike? "I heard you right!"

"Not at all. If a person can save one meal a day, then the entire subcontinent does not know how much food can be saved per person per day. This is a very simple arithmetic problem, isn't it?" Alan Wilson tilted his head confidently Asked rhetorically, "Any small thing multiplied by the population of the subcontinent will become very huge, and any turbulent thing, divided by the population of the subcontinent, will become insignificant. This is our self-help method that we have thought about after careful consideration."

Alan Wilson does not deny the meaning of moral kidnapping, there are indeed some of them.

But that cannot be said entirely. What was Gandhi famous for?Isn't it just a hunger strike? This is the character of the saint Gandhi, and now the gentlemen are going to use the saint character of Gandhi. What's wrong with this?

You can go on hunger strike even if the women in the neighboring village cheated. Now that British India is facing such a big famine, you, a leader fighting for independence, have an opportunity to buy people's hearts. Why don't you take advantage of it?

Alan Wilson was never prepared to be rejected, and certainly wasn't.

Knowing that the clown is actually my own Gandhi, I reached out to block Nehru's accusation, and said slowly, "If I can personally lead the food conservation movement and prevent millions of people from starving to death, I am an old man. It is incumbent."

"In all fairness, we don't want Mr. Gandhi to do this, but only Mr. Gandhi has this kind of prestige and influence." Sir Baron put on a tall hat of the right size for Gandhi, and directly settled the matter, "If Mr. Gandhi It can play a huge leading role, and I believe the food pressure in British India will be significantly reduced."

The members of the Congress party have mixed feelings. They feel that the British are trying to bully honest people.

But Gandhi himself did not refuse. Why should the demons and ghosts in Alan Wilson's eyes object?

"This is what I should do. If everyone in the entire subcontinent can save one meal, there will be surplus food to help others." Gandhi has entered the state of a saint, and since he agreed, he made some preparations.

Such a statement was awe-inspiring. Sir Barron stood up first, and then other British representatives also stood up, paying tribute to Gandhi and expressing their reverence for the saint on earth.

If the atmosphere is not suitable, Alan Wilson really wants to suggest that even water can be saved. Drinking cow urine can express the determination of Hindus to fight drought. Drinking more cow urine saves a sip of water, which is more able to fight drought.

Although the agenda of harmony between the two parties failed, our agenda of asking Gandhi to go on a hunger strike succeeded. Generally speaking, this tripartite meeting has achieved great results.As for Nehru's request, after careful consideration, the Governor's Office decided to arrange a dialogue between the Congress Party and the Muslim League. Calculating the time, London should also start, so we can come together.

"Mr. Gandhi, the British are kidnapping morally." Leaving the Governor's Palace, Nehru finally couldn't help but said.

"But what they said has some truth. It is very important to save food during a drought." Gandhi shook his head indifferently. I won’t be starved to death, I believe it will be effective.”

There will definitely be an effect. If there is no effect, Alan Wilson will not make such a suggestion.In the entire subcontinent, as long as 1 people follow the example of Gandhi, thousands of people can be saved.

"Assistant, the reception is ready. We've been tormented at noon." Edel, the commissioner's private secretary, came to inform Alan Wilson that the evening reception was ready.

Only at this time did Alan Wilson look away from the window, and replied easily, "Prepare me a glass of whiskey, to be honest, it's really difficult, and you have to share the joys and sorrows, but you can't really share the joys and sorrows, otherwise the expats in New Delhi What do you think of us? By the way, don’t talk nonsense when you go home, the Governor’s Mansion claims to have two meals a day.”

"Everyone has communicated, and we will never talk nonsense. The Governor's Mansion will carry out a two-meal campaign for a month. Let's personally implement the progress of the food conservation campaign." Edel nodded solemnly, "A telegram from the United Provinces Now, ask about the progress of this negotiation."

"Mr. Burke is in a hurry. There are indeed more people in the United Provinces. Just follow the standards of our Governor's Mansion. It is announced that the food supply for one meal will be reduced during the drought, and Indians will never be able to enter Burke's official residence to watch Him?" Alan Wilson pondered for a moment.

"If you really do this, Mr. Burke will probably order to shoot." Edel chuckled. Burke was the chief executive of the Bengal province during the Bengal famine, but he has been transferred now.

The Governor's Mansion was brightly lit that night, and the lights spread far away, indicating that during the drought, the Governor's Mansion was working all night.For the civil servants of the Governor's Mansion, the subcontinent has suffered such a major natural disaster. As the managers of British India, they can only make some insignificant contributions, and they can only choose to numb themselves with alcohol when they feel lost.

The Governor-General in New Delhi has officially started to promote the food conservation campaign. Official documents have been issued to all provinces and states, and they have called for reporting and exposing the deliberate waste of food during the food conservation campaign.

The Supreme Court was in favor of this kind of reporting and exposing, saying that during the drought, deliberately wasting food is absolutely extremely bad in moral terms.

Administrative officials and judicial officials once again sang together, and through administrative orders, all newspapers in British India published the call for the food conservation movement in British India and encouraged the fight against wasteful behavior.

Will this undermine democracy?It's a joke, how can there be such a thing in the colony?

The vigorous food conservation movement has aroused great repercussions in all walks of life in British India through newspapers. In fact, most of the voices are in favor. After all, in difficult times, the Governor-General of British India has behaved so responsibly this time. It's a different person from a few years ago.

Some people have even begun to believe that the reason for the Great Bengal Famine was entirely due to the war period.Because of the impact of the war, famines appeared in many places, which had nothing to do with the British.

If Alan Wilson hears such words, he can consider giving the person who said such words a British green card. The British Empire needs such talents.

The fermentation of public opinion was in place. At this time, the Congress Party announced that Gandhi would go on a seven-day hunger strike and shoulder the responsibility of leading this food conservation campaign. The Congress Party supported the leader’s move and called for more More people joined in, saving food and distributing the excess food to those who need it more.

Immediately, all walks of life in India were deeply moved, and Mahatma Gandhi began to cut down on food and clothing. They believed that the drought would pass.

"After mediating sectarian conflicts and opposing the colonial government, he finally did something meaningful, uh..."

After belching, Alan Wilson, holding a fork in his hand, took a sip of whiskey, continued to attack the steak on the plate, and said vaguely, "I knew from the beginning that Gandhi would definitely agree to fight the famine. , what an opportunity to gain fame, it would be strange to disagree."

"Sir Barron means to praise Gandhi's behavior through public opinion." Edel wiped off the oil stains at the corner of his mouth with a handkerchief, "I don't know what kind of remarks are more appropriate."

"Man conquers nature? From the perspective of Hinduism, such remarks are inappropriate." Alan Wilson shook his head, wondering, "Let's start with international public opinion, saying that other countries are very shocked, have been scared to pee, and exclaimed that India can't do it. Victory, that's all."

On this day, Gandhi's hunger strike, which is remembered by Indians, officially began. The whole of British India is praying in their hearts that this drought will pass sooner. There is a claim that one person can survive this drought.

Chapter 243 Governor Mountbatten

Scared to pee?Exclaimed invincible?Edel looked at the assistant commissioner who was known as having a wonderful idea. Could this be the secret of the other party being promoted faster than himself?

"But it seems that there is no such voice in the international public opinion!" Edel said with some embarrassment, "Are you saying that Indians believe it?"

You are asking the right person!Alan Wilson straightened his waist and said, "We can say that is what the international public opinion says. As for whether Indians believe it or not, it depends on two aspects. There are two kinds of people in any region. Those with low self-esteem take the shortcomings common to all mankind. Belonging to their own nation, the largest group is just the opposite, thinking that their own nation has advantages that all human beings do not have. Both groups are huge."

"The former dare not look at us colonists. The latter's mentality is probably like this. We European barbarians have only risen in the past 300 years. How can we compare with their ancient civilization?"

Alan Wilson changed the subject when he said this, and laughed unscrupulously, "If I think they commit suicide immediately, being humiliated by a group of monkeys who have just come down from the tree for 300 years is enough to prove our excellence. And they, with a few The knowledge accumulated thousands of years ago proves how good you are, if it were in nature, Darwin's law would have taken effect long ago."

Seeing Edel nodding, Alan Wilson continued, "The words I said can be generalized including but not limited to all countries in India that consider themselves ancient civilizations. Specifically in India, some Indians who boast a few words will go to heaven , I will definitely believe it, of course this needs guidance, we focus on praising Gandhi, not praising Indians."

"What is the reason?" Edel looked puzzled, not quite understanding the difference.

"We all know that Gandhi is Gandhi, and Indians are Indians. But Indians themselves don't see it that way. This is not a problem with ancient civilizations. All countries are like this. Praising Gandhi, Indians will think it is a compliment. They. Just like most citizens during the war were cannon fodder but imagined themselves as Churchill, so am I.”

Life is already so hard, so what if you don't indulge in a fantasy world and have some fun?

That is to say, he came late. If he had come decades earlier and became King George V, how could the British Empire have fallen to this point?

"About our work, the essence is to try to make the life of the people in the colonies as bad as possible before we leave." Alan Wilson concluded with a smile, "Not only in British India, but in all colonies." so."

"Isn't this too ungentlemanly?" Edel disagreed, "I will be hated like this."

"When did you have the illusion that the British Empire was a gentleman?" Alan Wilson drank the last bit of whiskey and teased, "It's as if you didn't get any money from this drought."

Regarding Gandhi's hunger strike, Alan Wilson also planned to say that a certain source who did not want to be named pointed out that the Indians are not worthy of such a leader who shines with humanity, and that Gandhi's behavior should be compared with the Indians as a group. Separated.

In the final analysis, the whole world only needs such a symbol, instead of treating Indians like this. There is a saying that the behavior of fans should not be raised to idols. Gandhi himself is worthy of respect, but it is limited to Gandhi alone, not Respect the Indians.

In any case, it is admirable that Sir Gandhi called on the entire subcontinent to save money and tide over the difficulties.

This time the Americans were faster than the client, Alan Wilson. You must know that Vivien Leigh has not yet arrived in the United States. Normally, it should not be the case that the United States is more enthusiastic than the United Kingdom.

But if you look at it from the perspective of disgusting the British Empire, this behavior is understandable.

Now, the war has ended for a year. During this year, of course, the Soviet Union has aroused the fear of the United States.But Britain and France also have huge colonies, and they returned to Asia in groups.

Before the Netherlands attacked Jakarta, the Dutch East Indies were the first landed by the British army to buy time for the Dutch reinforcements who were still on the way. Belgium, Portugal, and even Spain, which was isolated, sent troops. The old imperialism The great powers report to each other to keep warm, cover each other and hold on to the colonies. The United States sees it, and it is not completely speechless.

After all, the current world situation must be viewed from two perspectives. From a national perspective, the Soviet Union is definitely a more threatening opponent than Britain and France. But from the perspective of international order, the current international order still has remnants of the previous era.