Not Nonviolence But a Sword

India's Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru does not mind Communists in China or maybe even in Indo-China. But Communists just across the northeast frontier in Nepal--never! Last week Nehru's Foreign Ministry proclaimed, no doubt for the ears of any Chinese Reds who might be infiltrating through Tibet to Nepal: "A threat to Nepal is a threat to India herself."

While New Delhi spoke, Nepal's Prime Minister Maharaja Mohun Shamsher Jang Bahadur Rana, 64, a devout feudalist,*was journeying from the little Himalayan kingdom (6,000,000 pop.; 54,000 sq. mi.) to republican India. It took him 15 days by foot, horseback and palanquin over windswept ranges to reach an Indian railhead. A special train bore him on to New Delhi, where Nehru waited. In black cap and brown leather churidar, Rana stepped down onto a red carpet. He put his right foot first, to insure an auspicious beginning and end for his visit. Nehru welcomed him with the traditional Indian gesture of clasped hands. Twenty-one guns boomed a salute.

A week-long round of mutual expressions of good will followed the pageantry of welcome. The betrothal of Rana's granddaughter to a Kashmiri prince was announced. Before going home, the guest of honor will receive a diamond-studded sword from India's Defense Minister Sardar Baldev Singh--an earnest of more up-to-date military aid to come.

-Nepal's Prime Ministers are born to their rank, and succession passes from brother to brother and brother to nephew.

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