THE DAILY PROVINCE JULY 22, 1914 p.2 STEVEN’S RELATES STORY OF DAY’S CONFERENCES ------------------- How Success at Last Crowned Efforts of Authorities for a Peaceful Settlement. ------------------- By Direct Wire to Ottawa Were in Constant Communication With Premier. ------------------Vancouver Member Speaks in Praise of Those Who Assisted Negotiations. ------------------- Provisions for Ship’s Return Voyage Was Government’s Only Concession. ------------------- Mr. H. H. Stevens, M.P., at the close of one of the hardest days he has experienced in years—a day full of tense situations—gave to the newspapermen last night an official story of the day’s events leading up to the final conference at the Komagata Maru, when the agreement accepted by the shore committee of Hindus was adopted by those on board the vessel. The following communication to Captain Yamamoto from H. Raheim, representing the shore charterers was drawn up by the authorities late in the day and was finally signed by Raheim on the Komagata Maru and was witnessed by Gurdit Singh. It tells the story of the close of the day’s anxiety and suspense. Mr. Stevens handed it out last evening. It reads: Vancouver, July 21, 1914. Captain Yamamoto. SS. Komagata Maru, Vancouver: THE DAILY PROVINCE JULY 22, 1914 p.2 Dear Sir,--Negotiations between the Hindu representatives on shore and the committee of our ship, have resulted to our satisfaction, and we are now in a position to authorize you to get up steam, preparatory to leaving this harbor, and I hereby give you instructions to do so on receipt of this letter. Yours truly, H. RAHEIM, For self and Bhag Singh, charterers of SS. Komagata Maru. Mr. Stevens, in the interview he gave to the newspapermen last night said: How Settlement Was Reached. “This troublesome matter has finally been settled and the Hindus on board the Komagata Maru have accepted the terms offered by the government some time ago.—The government consented today as it had already expressed its willingness to do, to provision the ship for a voyage to Hongkong. The government is not compelled to do this by law, but it does it as an act of grace and in view of the fact that the local charterers became so heavily involved, that they were apparently not able to go through with the undertaking. “A series of demands made by the Hindus today kept the authorities busy for many hours. The first demand was that the government pay the fares of the Maru passengers to Calcutta and pay in cash. This was positively refused, as we knew that fares from all of his passengers, amounting to $110 each. He did this prior to leaving Hongkong. “Then the request was made that the government pay for a two month’s charter extension, meaning a sum of about $14,000, in order to get the vessel all the way to Calcutta. This was refused. “There was a demand, too, that we pay the fares of the passengers from Hongkong to Calcutta and on this subject there was a deadlock for many THE DAILY PROVINCE JULY 22, 1914 p.2 hours. The department, however, refused to concede the point and stood firm in its position that the only concession to be made was the provisioning of the ship. These Requests Refused. “The attention of the government” went on Mr. Stevens, “was drawn to the statement mad that many of the local Hindus who contributed to the charter extension fund, did so in perfect innocence and on their behalf, a request was made that compensation be provided. This was refused, as the government representatives here concluded that Ottawa had no legal responsibility in the matter. We promised, however, to investigate the claims through an entirely disinterested tribunal appointed by the Premier of Canada. There will, however, be absolutely no guarantee that the claims of these men will be recognized. “After numerous conferences between Hon. Mr. Burrell, Superintendent Malcolm R. J. Reid, Mr. R. L. Reid, K.C., and Mr. W. H. B. Ladner, representing the Dominion Government in a legal capacity, Inspector Hopkinson and myself, all on behalf of the government, and Mr. A. H. MacNeill, K.C., representing the Hindus committee, together with the members of that committee, it was finally decided that the local Hindu committee would advise their fellow countrymen to leave the harbor peaceably on the terms offered by the government. “The Komagata Maru passengers have promised to observe the law, and to help the Japanese officers and crew as much as possible to prepare for the voyage and on the trip back to the Orient. A representative of the local Hindus who had the charter extended, has signed a letter drawn up by the authorities instructing Captain Yamamoto to get up steam and this has been witnessed by Gurdit Singh himself. Had Direct Wire to Ottawa. “During the day a wire was kept open between the immigration office and the department at Ottawa, and we were in constant touch with Premier THE DAILY PROVINCE JULY 22, 1914 p.2 Borden. His advice and authority was frequently given. All the preparation and plans made by the local authorities were approved of by Ottawa, but with the instruction that they were not to be employed except in extreme necessity. In this view the local department heartily concurred. The position, however, taken all through this critical time by the Premier and his government has been that whatever steps were required to provide for the observance of the law would have to be taken and no matter what else happened, the vessel would have to take her passengers from our shores.” Mr. Stevens paid a high tribute last night to the work of the immigration staff. He mentioned particularly Immigration Superintendent Reid, Inspector Hopkinson and Inspector Howard. Their endeavors, he declared, had been untiring and faithful. Mr. R. L. Reid, K.C., and Mr. W. H. B. Ladner, government counsel had also given great service and valuable advice, he said. The department too had been assisted to a considerable extent, stated Mr. Stevens, by Consul Hori, Captain Yamamoto and Commander Hose and staff of the Rainbow. The Vancouver member took occasion to give his personal thanks to the militia men for turning out so well. He spoke briefly to them before they marched up town from the wharf to their headquarters. The fact that Hon. Martin Burrell, minister of agriculture was able to reach Vancouver in time for the final windup and spent the greater part of yesterday in aiding the authorities here, as a member of the Dominion cabinet was commented on by Mr. Stevens.