TRAYANCORE PERSECUTION

St,-1t is deplorable that the " dialectics loving premier of Travancore" has been able to carry his propaganda even into the Catholic Press. The statements made by Sir C. P. Ramaswamy Awe to the correspondent Of THE CATHOLIC HERALD were highly misleading. and the fact that they were published in the Catholic Press without the needed corrective is apt to be disconcerting to those familiar with the true state of affairs in 'I ravancore. The A.P.I., A.P.A., Reuters, the leading English dailies in India, and the whole of the daily and weekly Press in Travancore and Cochin had been pressed for nine months into the service of Sir C. P. in the unholy crusade against the Catholic minority in Travancore. There was, however, a single dissentient voice, that of the Indian Catholic Press, comparatively feeble amidst the loud elamaur set op by its adversaries, but still a persistent voice which refused to be stilled and which succeeded in making the world conscious of the persecution of Catholics in the Hindu State of Travancore.
Verbal jugglery which makes truth appear as falsehood is the art
of propaganda Sir C P. maintains that not only are the Catholics not v:ctimised, but that the non-Catholics are being made the " victims of discri mination." With a great outlay of capital and human energy, the Catholics have built up a system of primary education in Travancore. Sir C. P., with a stroke of the pen, would destroy that system, refusing aid and recognition to all Catholic primary schools. Catholic parents will be obliged to give more than their share in taxat:on to the government schools, and will further be obliged to maintain their own schools Catholics do not object to education being made compulsory and universal. In fact, theirs has been the lion share in making compulsory tmiversal education more feasible in Travancore than in any other part of
India. What they object to is the State monopoly in education. The new educational deal is far from being the only proof of the persecu tion in Travancore. It is the best known, but perhaps not the most in sidious. Churches cannot be built; cemeteries cannot be opened Severe rcstrictions exist on the administration
of the sacraments in hospitals. Pilgrimages and processions are subject to the good will of the Hindu bureaucracy. Freedom of the Press is nonexistent. A new scheme of taxation is developing which will throw most of the financial burden of the State on the Catholic minority. In an effort to stifle Catholic colleges, large sums of public money arc being canalized into Hindu colleges already existing, or soon to be established. Hindu proseletiz:ng missions are operating in many centres with the open and covert aid of the Government. Sonic Catholic leaders have been imprisoned and detention orders have been served on several others preventing them from speaking or even appearing in public. All the resources of a powerful dictatorial State have been utilised in a ruthless policy of cultural strangulation. In spite of all this, Sir C. P. would have the public believe that his Government is extremely benevolent towards the Catholics The public protests of the Catholics must go on as long as the present policy of the Government continues.
M. THERAEIcAsu., Si. (Rev.).
St. Mary's College, Kurscong, D.H.R., India.
APOSTOLATE OF SUFFERING FOR THE MISSIONS
SM.-Many of your readers will be interested to know that it is proposed to reorganise what is known as the Apostolate of Suffering for the Missions. The new conditions of membership are of the simplest: it is no longer necessary to have one's name enrolled. Any Catholic may join by just wishing it; he or she thus enrols permanently. Membership is open not only to invalids and those unable to live an active life, but to every Catholic who has anything to suffer-and who has not? -especially worries and anxieties. These, as well as the great pains and griefs, may be offered for the Missions. The scheme has the approval of His Eminence the Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster.
It is to be observed that the success of the Missions is not merely one intention amongst many, but the reason of the Church's existence. Without the Missions, the Church would no longer grow; she would be unhealthy, which would be unthinkable. The Church is a Body whose missionary success reacts upon every one of her members-ourselves. Just as the vigour of the human body is shared by its parts, so if the Church is in full vigour, an abundance of blessings will be assured for her members. The advancement of the Church's interests will advance also our own, It Is hoped before long to issue a prayer-book card or leaflet for general distribution, as a reminder to members of their offering, and to bring the Apostolate to the notice of others.
C. J. WOOLLEN.
St. Anthony's, 84, Queen's Avenue, Finchley, London, Ni.