Lord Hardinge has been much attacked by the Tory and Unionist Press in
England and India, in England because of the Mesopotamia Report, in
India because his love for India brought him hatred from Anglo-India.
India has affirmed her confidence in him, and with India's verdict he
may well rest satisfied.
I do not care to dwell on the Mesopotamia Commission and its
condemnation of the bureaucratic system prevailing here. Lord Hardinge
vindicated himself and India. The bureaucratic system remains
undefended. I recall that bureaucratic inefficiency came out in even
more startling fashion in connection with the Afghan War of 1878-79 and
1879-80. In February 1880, the war charges were reported as under L4
millions, and the accounts showed a surplus of L2 millions. On April 8th
the Government of India reported: "Outgoing for War very alarming, far
exceeding estimate," and on the 13th April "it was announced that the
cash balances had fallen in three months from thirteen crores to less
than nine, owing to 'excessive Military drain' .
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