HINDU IMMIGRATION

Otago Witness, Issue 3149, 22 July 1914, Page 26

HINDU IMMIGRATION

ORDER FOR THEIR DEPORTATION. VANCOUVER, July 18. The Immigration Department has ordered the captain of the Komagata Maru to leave the harbour with his Hindu passengers. The order of deportation has been made out. When the captain tried to raise steam the Hindus attacked him with clubs and obliged him to discontinue the efforts. The Komagata Maru’s owners’ agents have warned the Hindus that they will bring the police aboard to conduct them outside the three-mile limit and leave them to starve or find their way home. The Hindus defied the authorities, and refused to leave Canadian waters until their passage money had been refunded and a supply of provisions granted. The deadlock continues. July 19. The Hindus on the Komagata Maru beat off 200 police and immigration officials when they endeavoured to tow the Komagata Maru seaward. Several of the police were wounded and Hindus shot. It is not known if they are fatally injured. There is much feeling against the Hindus as a result of the riotous affray wherein a force of police and immigration officials were beaten back when they attempted to compel the Komagata Maru to leave the harbour. The Canadian Government has authorised the employment of the militia, and if necessary of the sailors of the Canadian cruiser Rainbow. The injured men ai’e recovering. The casualties amongst the Hindus are not known. WASHINGTON, July 16. The House Committee on Immigration considered legislation affecting the admission of Hindus. Representative Burnett appealed to the committee not to raise the question of Japanese exclusion at the present time. He urged the exclusion of Hindus alone, as the Chinese are already kept out of the United States.