HINDUS LAUNCH BOMB CAMPAIGN
Many Hindus, who were assembled in the West, also had an opportunity to study the fine art of explosive and bomb making at a bomb factory up in the state of Washington. On several occasions groups of Hindus equipped with money and carrying secretly arms with them sailed from San Francisco for the Philippines, planning thence to go to India. Furthermore, ships were chartered by German agencies to carry arms and ammunition to India and Ceylon. The American schooner Annie Larsen and the ship Maverick, both owned by a man named Fred Jebsen, a German naval officer, were chartered on the Pacific coast to sail for India in June, 1915. The Annie Larsen was seized by the United States officials at Hoquiam, Washington, and on board was found a cargo of rifles and ammunition. The Maverick, however, got away also equipped with rifles and cartridges, carrying a number of Hindus. The good ship had a most eventful voyage, the sailors and the passengers suffering many hardships, and finally reached Batavia, where she was seized by the Dutch authorities.
In the early stages of his plans, Captain von Papen had an opportunity to send a rather detailed report of events in India to the secret office in Berlin. The chance came through Captain Archibald, who was about to sail from this country, and Captain von Papen, accordingly, prepared in code a long message. This document, which has been translated, is illuminating. Here it is:
“Since October, 1914, there have been various local mutinies of Mohammedan native troops, one practically succeeding the other. From the last reports, it appears that the Hindu troops are going to join the mutineers.
“The Afghan army is ready to attack India. The army holds the position on one side of the Utak River. The British army is reported to hold the other side of the said river. The three bridges connecting both sides have been blown up by the British.
“In the garrison located on the Kathiawar Peninsula, Indian mutineers stormed the arsenal. Railroad and wireless station have been destroyed. The Sikh troops have been removed from Beluchistan; only English, Mohammedans and Hindu troops remain there.
“The Twenty-third Cavalry Regiment at Lahore revolted; the police station and Town House were stormed. The Indian troops in Somaliland in Labakoran are trying to effect a junction with the Senussi. All Burmah is ready to revolt.
“In Calcutta, unrest is reported with street fighting; in Lahore, a bank was robbed; every week at least two Englishmen are killed; in the north-western district many Englishmen killed, munitions and other material taken, railroads destroyed; a relief train was repulsed.
“Everywhere great unrest, in Benares a bank has been stormed.
“Revolts in Chitral very serious; barracks and Government buildings destroyed. The Hurti Mardin Brigade, under General Sir E. Wood, has been ordered there. Deputy Commissioner of Lahore wounded by a bomb in the Anakali Bazaar.
“Mohammedan squadron of the cavalry regiment in Nowschera deserted over Chang, south-west Peshawar. Soldiers threw bombs against the family of the Maharajah of Mysore. One child and two servants killed, his wife mortally wounded.
“In Ceylon a state of war has been declared.”