Norwich bulletin., 1914-07-20
HINpus sEPuLsE FORCE
 oF f7s POLICEMEN
Who Tried to Board Japanese
 Steamer at Vancouver, Q. c.

Steamer at Vancouver, 9. c.
 Vancouver. B. C.. July 1s.-scores among party of 175 policemen and riously, early today in a battle with several hundred infuriated Hindus on board the Japanese steamer Roma gata Maru. in the harbor here. Show CTS of missiles rained from the ship on the official force which attempted the face of the fire the attacking par ty retreated and the attempt to board the steamer was temporarily abandon ed The Hindus braved the stream from a big hose which the tug turned on them and mercilessly pelted the men on the decks of the tug with Jumps of coal. Fire bricks and pieces Of iron from what is believed to have been the wreckage of the engine room on the steamer followed No shots were fired on either side. The Hindus had no firearms and the police re- Trained from using theirs.
 Hindus Had Been RebeiIious. The battle grew out of an attempt to rid the haroor of the Japanese steamer on which $50 indus came to this port three months ago, only to nave the Canadian immigration ofi- cials refuse them admission to the country. Their claim of right to
 
 by the courts and the steamer was ordered to sail with them on board. The Hindus had been rebelhous and several times attempted to land, but were prevented.
 As the steamer was without pro- visions. the Canadian authorities a day or two ago decided to put sufficient stores on board for the voyage to the Orient whence the steamer came. Plans were carefully matured, and early today the tug Sea Lion put out with the provisions and what was deemed to be a sufficient boarding force to overcome any opposition. The 125 city policemen hal reyolvers and the special constables rifles.
 Armed with Clubs.
 The Sea Lion slowly steamed out to the Japanese vessel. When within hailing distance of her it was seen that every inch of space along the rail and on the deck and bridge was occupied by indus. armed each with a bow of the steamer a solid mass of humanity was congregated. Turned Strear, on rfindus. The tugs hose was made ready and back and forth along the rows of Hindus a stream was played. This form of attack was effective momen- tarily, and the East Indians retreated under the rush of water propelled at high pressure. It looked for the time as if the boarders would carry through their programme without serious trou- ble.
 The situation quickly changed, how ever. Rallying several Hindus faced the stream and began dashing missiles upon the attacking party This was only a foretaste. Reinfercements on the ship followed up the defensive move and shortly a tremendous storm of Jumps of coal was being rained upon the party on the tugs deck I which was at the mercy of the Hindus above, as they had no orders to use their firearms.
 All Sorts of Missiles Used. All sorts of missiles followed the coal shower and under the fire of the l maddened foreigners all the police could do was to dodge and endure as best they could, while cries went up from many of them begging the tug captain to cast loose the grapplins l iron which had attached the smaller vessel to the larger and get out of range.
 As the deluge of missiles continued many men were felled by blows on l the head. As the officers pushed to | that side, of the tug farthest away l from the Japanese steamer, Detective McArthur was forced overheard. Those { nearby dragged him to the tugs deck again. Some of the officers were l knocked unconscious and others badly cut. Hardly a man on the side of tn, | tug nearest the steamer escaped in- jury.
 Officers Forced to Retreat Finally, the graphing iron was un- 1 loosened by a constable who braved attack from Hindus at close range tc i perform the feat. and the Sea Lior ! pulled slowly away from the neigh 1 borhood of the Komagata Maru. A : hail of derisive cheers and prolonged i tom-tom playing on the decks of the 1 big vessel accompanied the retreat.