Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-05-21
Highest Of all in Leavcnns PowerLatest US Govt Report
R>!a!I! RR skass;!
ABSOLUTELY wURE

even more important and win "i'et
reaching consequences than any nhanSi''
adjustments. 1t Is the status OF Brlusn
India subjects In Africa. In our ueaF
ment OF this question we have not ioi
gotten that II has also TO be coislueie"
from the South African point OF view.
The British Indians are 10 the goVerhihB
race in Natal somewhat in the same posi-
ton as the British Uitlanders are 70
the governing race in the TransvaaL In
both cases the governing race fears that
Il may be swamped by the outsiders, ana
desires at any cost. TO MAINTAIN us
SUPREMACY The desire Is a natural one.
But as England finds that there must DC
limits to the injustice involved by TINS
policy to Englishmen in the lransVaal
so India finds that there must be limits
TO the Injustice done 10 British indian
subjects in the Colonies and lndepeh-
dent States Of South Africa.
IN A CLEAR LIGHT.
A letter recently addressed to us by the
representatives OF the Indian community
IN South Africa places this I'm clear hgft
II IS too lengthy 10 print In fun, and much
OF il reiterates what has already been
said In these columns. As regards Natal
we pointed out that there 70 no desire
on the part of the British Indian suplec's
to obtain new privileges, or 10 lessen the
safeguards which secure the voting power
to the British European population.
Under those safeguards the proportion OF
British indian voters TO European voters
is at present one TO thirty-seyen. Inc
British Indian community ask that they
NAV not be deprived Of this very limited
franchise which they already possess. In
the Transvaal our laisscz fare diplomacy
has allowed them 90 drift into a much
worse position. They not only share the
common grievances OF all Oitanders, nut
they have been subjected to special dis
abilities which now allow the TransVaal
Government to levy British Indians ur4tr
martial law in operations against tneF
British fellow subjects. The orange y rec
state has shown what such lalssez ialre
diplomacy ends i'm. 1t has simply denied
TO British Indians any rights under IN
ternatlonal law. 1T has driven away
traders" says the letter above referred
to. without the slightest compensation
causing a loss to the Indians OF nearly
5000. Inofensive British subjects whlle
following their peaceful ayOcatlons were
ruthlessly driven away from friendly
State without the slightest Justihcation'
and vet their grievance remains apso-
lutely without redress
II the Government OF India were TO lay
ASIDE all thought Of its duty 10 other
parts Of the empire, 1t could proihpuy
secure that redress. Il has the power AT
any moment to stop by proclamation the
Indian stream OF emgrants to south
! Africa, and It has proved the erect OF
such a proclamation I'm bringing to rea-
son much more powerful offenders than
the Orange Free State or the TrahsVaal'
| But such measure means a laDor
| famine in Southeastern Africa. which
would disorgaulZe British industry IN
! Natal and retard the progress of thar
! Colony for many years. The mere issue
OF the proclamation would depreclatt
/ most British investments in Natal, ahu
would ruin many thriving enterprises
! only as last resource would the lhdiat
! Government be justified in falling back
an tbis remedy. In the mean while, II
| homes that. among the general arrange
ments about 10 be effected I'm Sour
Africa. the grievances Of the British-lrr
| dian subjects will receive full consldera
lion. They have already attracted the
notice of Mr.. Chamberlain who ha'
| promised that I'm the event OF Presiden
kruger visiting England. they viii no
| be overlooked. But the whole qIestIoi
having now been raised, settlemeh
must be obtained I'm regard both TO GU
own Colonies and to friendly States II
South Africa. The indian GoVernmen
makes no excessive demands, and Il
| careful not to ignore the special condl
lions attaching TO any system OF eml
grafton under labor contracts for term
years. But the Indian Governemtn canno
permit its people TO be deprived OF theli
status as British subjects, a status guar
anteed TO them in the most solemn man
ner. or OF their right Of protection, u
| which as British subjects they are en-
titled. Nor IS It likely that Great Brl
tain. which she remembers what lndlal
soldiers and Indian workers nave don'
10 strengthen her position I'm AFRICA WI
| stand by uncOncerned.