confident of their ability to exercise this control, and are determined to carry out their proceeding to the Point, and if all goes well, the Demonstration will be so much more moral backing to the Government. It will also be an illustration of the true earnestness of the movement. Mr. Wylie very truly said that, while they must show the force they possessed, it was the men who could use that force without abusing it who gained their ends. We cannot insist too strongly on the necessity for the most perfect preservation of law and order. Ultimate success depends upon this, perhaps, as much as upon anything else, and we rely upon the good sense and sound judgment of those in charge of the Demonstration to see that the zeal of their followers does not overstep their discretion.—The Natal Mercury, 9th January, 1897.
- After all that has been said and done in Durban during the past fortnight, with a view to intimidate the Indian passengers on board the steamships Courland and Naderi from landing, it must be candidly admitted that the Demonstration has come to an ignominious termination. Although the ringleaders of the Demonstration naturally seek to cover their defeat by claiming a victory, the whole affair has proved an utter fiasco so far as its original and avowed intention is concerned. This was nothing more nor less, than to compel the Indians on board the two steamers to return forthwith to India without touching Natal soil. That has not been accomplished . . . By no sudden and ill-considered action on their part, can the people of Natal interfere with the incursion, allowed by their existing laws, of immigrants from any country. It was, of course, possible that the recent Demonstration, got up against the latest arrivals from India, might have succeeded in scaring them away. But, after all, even supposing that had been the issue, it certainly would have brought the demonstrators little to be really proud of. It would have been a sorry victory had a small contingent of defenceless coolies been frightened away from the shores of Natal from fear of bodily maltreatment at the hands of the European settlers, assisted by a gang of whooping Kaffirs only too glad of an opportunity to demonstrate their dislike to their coolie competitors. It is far better that the Demonstration has “eventuated” as it has done. The only regrettable feature about Wednesday’s proceedings at Durban is the assault committed on Mr. Gandhi. It is true that the folks of Natal are highly incensed at his having published a pamphlet, charging them with badly treating their indentured Indians. We have not seen the publication in question, and if its charges are directed against Natalians as a community, then they are unfounded. There can be no doubt, however, as a case recently tried in the Natal courts plainly showed, that cases of extreme ill-usage have occurred on at least one of the estates, and Mr. Gandhi, as an educated Indian, cannot be altogether
