THE DAILY PROVINCE
JUNE 22, 1914

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MR. STEVENS FEARS A RIOT IF HINDUS
ARE LANDED
-------------------

Ottawa is Apprized of Serious Condition of Outlook
in Telegram.

-------------------

Hindus Have Paid Up Immediate Demands of
Komagata Maru’s Charter.

------------Scene of Conflict With Immigration Authorities
Changed Today.

-------------------

Argument on Specific Case Tomorrow—Mass
Meeting of Citizens.

-------------------

The Hindus arrived in Vancouver harbor just a month ago today.
They have spent that month knocking at the door of the immigration
department. This morning they commenced knocking at the front door of the
big courthouse on Georgia street.
Mr. H. H. Stevens, M. P., is trying to get the government to head off any
appeal the Hindus can get before the courts. He wants the Hindu steamer
towed out beyond Canadian jurisdiction where the Japanese can take charge
of her and work her back to Hongkong.
“I am trying to get the government to strengthen Malcolm Reid’s band in
getting them out before the courts have time to deal with them,” said Mr.
Stevens at noon today. “It appears, however, that it is not possible to invoke
the section of the act which provides for action independently of the courts. I

THE DAILY PROVINCE
JUNE 22, 1914

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have heard today, however, that the Hindus have paid up their charter, and
the owners can not(Sic) therefore go away voluntarily until a new bunch of
charter money comes due.”
Proceedings in Court.

The battleground of the Komagata Maru Hindus was transferred to the
courts this morning, when motion was made for a mandamus to compel the
immigration authorities to bring down their ruling in the case of Wazir Singh.
Rex(?) M. MacDonald appeared on behalf of Wazir Singh, and W. H. B.
Laurier(?) of the immigration department, as Inspector Reid had not yet been
served with papers in connection with the case, and as sufficient time has not
been given to counsel to prepare affidavits it was agreed that the motion
should stand over until tomorrow for argument. In the meantime efforts will
be made to serve notice on Inspector Reid and to prepare the affidavits. The
section of the Immigration Act under which the applicants are…(illegible
word) their claim for the order of mandamus, reads:
“At the conclusion of the court of enquiry the board shall immediately
give their decision.”
In the case of Wazir Singh, the board heard the evidence ten days ago,
but has not yet given its decision and do not intend to give any until all the
cases in the Komagata Maru had been heard. The argument tomorrow will be
conducted by Mr. J. Edward Bird for the Hindus and Mr. W. B. A. Ritchie, K. C.,
for the immigration department. The proceedings today were before Mr.
Justice Murphy, who is the judge in chambers for this month.
Public Meeting Today.
Mayor Baxter has been asked to call a meeting of the citizens to discuss
the Komagata Maru situation. It is probable that the meeting will be held on
Tuesday night, following the departure of the Japanese cruisers, which are
expected to leave on Tuesday morning. It has been thought better not to have
any such meeting until after the warships have gone.

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JUNE 22, 1914

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“I have been told that a proposal to get up a subscription for the
purpose of chartering tugs to tow the Komagata Maru out of the harbor will be
made at the meeting,” declared Mr. James Carnahan this morning. Mr.
Carnahan is one of the citizens responsible for the proposed public meeting.
The mayor this afternoon issued an official notice that the meeting
would be held in Dominion Hall tomorrow night.

------------------Ottawa Hears of It.

Ottawa, June 22.—The government is in receipt of a long telegram from
Mr. H. H. Stevens, member for Vancouver, in which fear is expressed of a
serious riot in the city in the event of the Hindus on board the Komagata Maru
being allowed to land as the result of an unfavorable finding being given by
the court against Malcolm Reid’s action as immigration officer.
Mr. Stevens fears that the citizens of Vancouver will resist the landing of
the Hindus in such an event to the extent of bloodshed.
Mr. Stevens is very anxious to get rid of the Hindus to the extent of
having them towed out of the harbor and turned over to a Japanese guard
beyond the three-mile limit. Mr. Stevens asks that the department give
complete backing to Malcolm Reid in his efforts to get the Hindus out, in view
of the possibility of at least a long delay if the matter gets into the courts.
Mr. Stevens also asks that section 28 of the act be invoked to give the
officials power to over-ride any order the court may make. It is stated that the
last proposal is not possible from a legal standpoint.
In the absence of Hon. Dr. Roche, minister of the interior, in Manitoba,
Hon. C. J. Doherty has been(Sic) acting minister. He also left for Quebec today
and the Prime Minister has to take charge, there not being sufficient ministers
at Ottawa to form a cabinet.
(End of article copy)

THE DAILY PROVINCE
JUNE 22, 1914

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