Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1914-06-26
'THlNDERER
BACKS Stand
OF CANADA
Points Out Error In EndeaVor
ing to Force Hindus Into the
Northern Dominion

Commenting editorially en- the right
of Canada to keep Hindus out of that
country, the London Times carries the
! following:
|. The inquiry into the claims of the
Hindus on board the Komagata Maru
to be allowed to enter Canada is still
| proceeding, but there can be little
doubt of its result. Canadians are
determined not to allow Asiatics to
enter the Dominion except under Sc
| we're restrictions. The promoters OF
the enterprise which has brought a
shipload of Hindus to its sea-gates
| are equally determined to assert the
! right of free entry on behalf Of Asia
tics who are British subjects. We
find it difficult to believe that their
action is approved by the wisest of
the Indian leaders. THIS is new con
troversy. 1t has ragged in an acute
form in other parts OF the British
Dominions befofe now. But the cham
pions of Indian rights who have TAX
en- most trouble to master the ques-
ton in all it's aspects have recognized
that, like other questions, it has two
sides. The best instance is that Of
Mr.. Kokhale, a very distinguished
leader of Indian opinion, who visited
South Africa a year or so ago to in
vestigate the grievances of his COM
patriots, especially in Natal. He told
the people of that Dominion that
there was no desire among the sub
jects of the Crown in India to force
any claim for admission to the Domi-
Mons against the will of the local po-
pulations. His moderation and the
fairness of his attitude made a very
deep impression. The fruits Of his
visit are to be seen in the bill to rem
edy the grievances of the Indian COM
munity in South Africa which has
just been introduced into the South
African Parliament. But the claims
IF, those who chartered the Komagata
Maru are very different.
Says Facts Ignored.
They are Dased on the assertion
that British citizenship" involves the i
right of unrestricted entry into any
and every part of the British Domi-
Mons. That is the kind of catchlogic
which may easily, beguile the unin-
1t should not for a moment
mislead any intelligent person who :
will be at the trouble to think out the
of words. 1t is preposterous
because itsaignores the facts. The
facts are that free peoples have
light to SAP. Eh9m they will admit into .
heir country, Just as free men have
/ right to- say whom they will admit
INTO their house. This right is exer-
Used i'm mn stice;} it Is not merely a
Fights It. operates quite
rrespectiYe 81 color; SO that there are
Of men-white, and subjects
fsthe CroYn-who are excluded from
he Oominions.. 1t is useless to say
hat this should not be. 1t is; and
he mere fact that it is shows that
phrase like British citizenship" can
lot be used as a talisman to open the
loors of men who are prepared to ap-
Wy it's prohibitions as much as it's
privileges to their own kin.
Bad to Force Issue.
Not that the citizenship of Greater
Britain is a worthless or negligible
hing. It's a pledge of unique ;
tatus. 1t involves for the well-dis-
'osed a safe conduct more. effective ]
nd far-reachfng than any other ma
ion has been able to give to it's citi- l
ems. But attempts to force it beyond {
IS legitimate meaning can only pre- i
udice the position of Indians them s
elves within the British Empire. AS {
is, their position is difficult enough; {
or is it likely to become less difficult r
l the future. Educated Indians have ,
cen brought with comparative sud- r
enness under the influence of west y
IN ideas. Unprecedented demands >
re being made on their self-control =
nd their sense of responsibility. 1t
not in the least surprising that
ONE of them should be led too far
y the magic of great phrases. or fail Il
, realize the influence of the compen- q
ating balance which constantly brings s.
lie European back from the realm of
Ugh fancy to that of drab fact Miss
ornelia Sorabji was quite right when Il
le said, in the very able reply to CT
RS. Besant that all this was apt to Il