Theos-Talk Archives (September 2004 Message tt00787)

--- In theos-talk@yahoogroups.com, "Morten N. Olesen" <global-
theosophy@a...> wrote:

 
> Such debates are quite political, and perhaps they do belong at 
another
> forum.
> Consider this sentence Eldon.

Morten:

If your suggestion is adopted and judging by his views reproduced 
below, Mahatma K.H. would probably be excluded from similar theos-
talk discussions. It concerns the failed attempt to start a paper 
("Phoenix"), to be edited by Sinnett (ML 99, chronological). The 
Mahatma's language seems to echo that of a expert business consultant 
and reveals great political acumen:


"And now, I am permitted by my venerated Chief to convey to you a 
memorandum of His views and ideas upon the fortune and destinies of a 
certain paper upon which his foresight was asked by your humble 
friend and his servant. Putting them into business shape I have noted 
his views as follows.

I. The establishment of a new journal of the kind described is 
desirable, and very feasible — with proper effort.

II. That effort must be made by your friends in the world, and every 
Hindu theosophist who has the good of his country at heart, and not 
very afraid to spend energy and his time. It has to be made by 
outsiders — i.e. those who do not belong to our Order irretrievably; 
as for ourselves — 

III. We can direct and guide their efforts and the movement, in 
general. Tho' separated from your world of action we are not yet 
entirely severed from it so long as the Theosophical Society exists. 
Hence, while we cannot inaugurate it publicly and to the knowledge of 
all theosophists and those concerned, we may, and will so far as 
practicable, aid the enterprise. In fact, we have begun already to do 
so. Moreover, we are permitted to reward those who will have helped 
the most effectually to realize this grand idea (which promises in 
the end to change the destiny of a whole nation, if conducted by one 
like yourself).

IV. In proposing to capitalists, especially to natives, the risk (as 
they are likely to think) of so large a sum, special inducements 
should be held out to them. Therefore, we are of opinion that you 
should ask no more compensation than you now receive, until your 
exertions have made the journal a decided success — something that 
must and shall happen, if I am good for anything. For a certain time, 
then, it is desirable that the affair should be stripped in the eyes 
of the future shareholders of every objectionable feature. Capital 
may now be invested in various ways so as to secure moderate interest 
with little or no risk. But for the ordinary speculator, there is 
much risk in founding a new journal of high cost, which is to favour 
the side of just native interests in those too frequent cases of 
injustice (which can hardly be proven to you under ordinary 
circumstances, but that will) — which always occur when a country is 
held by foreign conquerors. Cases which, as regards India, tend to 
multiply with the gradual entrance of officials of a lower social 
origin under the competitive system of appointment; and increased 
friction due to a selfish resentment of the admission of natives to 
Civil Service. To your capitalists, therefore, you should hold out 
the inducement that you will unselfishly labour for the same 
emolument as at your disposal now — to make their venture more than 
ordinarily profitable, and only claim a share of profits — as 
delineated by yourself with a slight change — when that point will be 
reached. I am ready to offer myself as a guarantee that it speedily 
will. 

V. My suggestion is therefore, agreeable with the Chohan's opinion, 
that you should offer to accept the consolidated monthly pay you 
mention, (with the usual and necessary personal expenses of travel 
when on business for the journal) until the capital shall be earning 
8 per cent. Of the profits between 8 and 12 per cent you should have 
one quarter share. Of all above 12 per cent., one half share.

VI. You should certainly have entire control over the journal; with 
some reassuring provisos that that power should not be transferable 
to a successor without the consent of a majority of the capital 
represented in the ownership; and that it should cease when it became 
apparent that the journal was being used against the interests to 
promote which it was founded. Without some such reservation, my 
venerable Chohan, and we too, think that deep-seated prejudices and 
suspicions would cause native capitalists — especially the rajahs — 
to hesitate — not for fear to make the large risks of this 
undertaking, but owing to doubts as to its success. The whole Anglo-
European community now suffers in native opinion for the commercial 
sins of dishonest houses who have heretofore broken faith with the 
capitalists; and there are several Rajahs, who now follow in pensive 
gloom the far distant form of Sir Ashley Eden, who walks off with one 
pocket full of never fulfilled promises and the other loaded with the 
remembrance of several lakhs of rupees borrowed from and never 
returned to his friends — the rajahs. At the same time, these 
provisos should be so framed as to protect your interests as well. 
Some offer on your part, spontaneous of course, inviting the 
occasional inspection of books and papers at reasonable times for the 
verification of accounts rendered, should be given, since your 
personal integrity cannot be guaranteed for all your servants. But 
this is not to diminish your authority over the management of the 
journal in all departments.

VII. It is better that the whole capital should be paid in before the 
journal is begun, as it is always unpleasant and troublesome to call 
in assessments on top of original losses. But it should be provided 
that so much as was not immediately needed should be kept at 
interest; and that a Sinking Fund should be created out of the income 
of the journal, to provide for any unforeseen exigency. The surplus 
capital as well as earnings, to be distributed from time to time.

VIII. The usual contracts and co-partnership papers might be executed 
from the beginning, but deposited in confidential hands mutually 
agreeable and their nature kept secret until the arrival of a certain 
specified contingency. This would show good faith on both sides and 
inspire confidence."


Pedro