Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1914-06-26
THUNDERER
IMImI.IUI
BACKS STAND
OF CANADA
Points Out Error In Endeavor.
ing to Force Hindus Into the
Northern Dominion

Commenting editorially on the right
Of Canada to keep Hindus out of that
country, the London Times carries the
following: s:-s -. ':. ss~ ..
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 q.
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 II difficult to believe that their
action is approved by the wisest of
the Indian leaders. This is new con-
troyersy. 1t has ragged in an acute
form in other parts of the British
Dominions before now But the cham
pions Of Indian rights who have TAX
en- most trouble to master the ques-
ton in all its aspects have recognized
that, like other questions, 1t has two
Sides The best instance is that of
Mr.. Kokhale, q 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 il
there was no desire among the SUBJ
jects of the Crown In India to force
any claim for admission to the Domi.I
MONS against the will of the local pol
pulations. His moderation and the
of his attitude made veryl
deep impression. The fruits of his
visit are to be seen In the bill to rem4I
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 Daseu on tine assertion
hat British .citizenship" involves the
right Of unrestricted entry into any
md every part of the British Domi-
Mons. That is the kind OF catoh-logici
which may easily beguile the unin- !.
,tructed It should not for moment
nislead any intelligent person who
will be at the trouble to think out the
meaning Of words. It is <preposterousl
,ecatlse 1t ignores the facts. The
acts are that free peoples have
light to say whom they will admit into
heir country just as free men have
fright to say whom they will admit &
INTO their honse This right is exer-
Used In PRESTIGE it sisg not merely
he0retieaE light. It operates quite I
Irrespective Of color, so that there are {
Iunbefs Of men white, and subjects ]
f the Crownwho are excluded from I
be Oomini6ns It Is useless to say I
hat this should not be- It is; and [
he mere fact that it is shows that q !
lhrase like British citizenship" can ,
lot be used as talisman to open the
'ly dts prohibitions as much as Its !
privileges to their own. kin. -,
lad TO Force Issue. t
Not that the citizenship of Greater I
.ritain Is q worthless or negligible 7
hing. It is a pledge of a unique Q
tatus. It involves for the well-dis- Y
osed q safe conduct more effective I
nd far-reaching than any other ma I
ion has been able to give to its citi- 4
ems But attempts to force 1T beyond q
Is legitimate meaning can only pre- i
udice the position Of Indians them 3
elves within the British Empire. AS 9
is, their position is difficult enough; c
or is 1t likely to become less difficult r
j the future. Educated Indians have !,
cen brought with comparative sud- :
enness under the influence of west y
IN ideas. Unprecedented demands >,
re being made on their self-control =,
nd their sense of responsibility. It
not in the least surprising that
ONE of them should be led too far -
y the magic Of great phrases, or fail q
, realize the influence of the compen-s Il
ating balance which constantly brings 81
lie European back from the realm of
Ugh fancy to that of drab fact. Miss
ornelia Sorabji was quite right when, tn
ne said in the very able reply to eli
RS. Besant that all this was apt TO tn