The importance which the “extremists” attach to the maintenance of these channels of communication with India appears from the following extract from the March issue of the Bande Mataram, which purports to be published in Geneva, and calls itself “a monthly organ of Indian independence":—­

We must recognize at present that the importation of revolutionary literature into India is the sheet-anchor of the party.  It keeps up the spirit of all young men, and assures them that the party is living.  We must therefore try to strengthen all groups of workers outside India.  The centre of gravity of political work has been shifted from Calcutta, Poona, and Lahore to Paris, Geneva, Berlin, London, and New York.  The Wahabi conspiracy of 1862 was completely crushed because there was no centre in foreign countries where the work could be carried on during the period of persecution.  We must take this lesson to heart, that if we desire to hear more of the murder of British officials as a token of the progress and vitality of the party we must strengthen and establish centres of work in many foreign countries.  The circulation of revolutionary leaflets, journals, and manifestoes should be looked upon as a sacred duty by all patriots.  We are not exaggerating the importance of this work when we use that expression.  Let us look upon every leaf of revolutionary literature with almost superstitious veneration and try to make it reach India by all means in our power.  For it is the seed of life of our people, &c.

As to the importation of arms into India, the murder of Mr. Jackson, “another Nationalist fete celebrated at Nasik amidst the rejoicings of all true patriots,” furnishes an occasion for similar exultation:—­

We know that the hero possessed Browning pistols.  Now these pistols are not manufactured in India, but in Europe.  How have they been imported by the revolutionaries?  It is clear that this fact is a testimony to the efficiency of our organization and the secrecy of our activity.  Besides, the imported arms are not the only weapons on which we have to rely.  Daggers can be manufactured in India out of sharp nails to stab all vile agents of the British Government, English or Indian.

Increased vigilance in this country as well as in the Indian Customs and Post Offices is, however, beginning to check these importations, and only two months later the Bande Mataram was already compelled to strike a less exuberant note.  It declares, of course, that “our movement cannot be repressed so long as there are patriotic Indians living under other flags than the Union Jack,” but it recognizes that the situation “gives rise to anxious thought,” and it winds up in a somewhat depressed tone:—­