of their countrymen located in Hong Kong and its neighborhood, to whom they very naturally appealed. The outcome of their energy and business ability resulted in trans- portation being purchased by some 390 souls for passage to Canada on board the "Koma- gata Maru."
The story of their refusal to land and the many complications which followed is so well known that we need not dilate upon them here.
We may say, however, in vindication of the Hindus, and to give the lie direct to certain evil stories circulated from time to time, that every cent of the money required to charter the "Komagata Maru," including the heavy expenses involved, legal and other- wise, were subscribed and paid by the Hindus themselves. They have nobly and bravely fought their battles, despising the weapons of untruth and calumny hurled against them, believing that time will vindicate them, and that justice will prevail. We believe that time has come, and we appeal to our fellow- citizens to join hands with us in helping our Hindu brethren to secure at least the home life that we claim is necessary to promote true citizenship and maintain the morality of the nation. In other words, the wife of each Hindu should be allowed to share with him his Canadian home.
WILL YOU HELP?
We have given the story of the Hindus in Canada as briefly as we know how, because we want every lover of justice to get an intelligent grasp of the Hindus' side of the question. The Canada India Committee are composed of men and women who feel that the plea of our fellow-citizens for common justice and fair play should not go unheeded.
Much has been said that is not true, and little incidents have been magnified by those who should know better, until they appear as mountains. The object of this Committee is to enquire into all such, and find the truth, believing that the people of Canada are a fair- minded and liberal people, and are unwilling to be branded by the rest of the world, and India in particular, as an unreasonable people. We know this is not so, but before we can convince others we must prove ourselves by our works.
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You may desire more information, but the following questions and statements are well worth noting, and will give you much food for reflection:-
1. Are we as a people working in our best interests from the standpoint of morality and Christianity by refusing that which is very dear to the British people-family and domestic life?
2. At least 90 per cent. of the Hindus in Canada are Sikhs. They believe in one God-the same God as we do. The Sikh has one wife only, and is opposed to child marriage.
3. These people belong to the noble warrior class of India, who have always fought side by side with the British soldier and for all that is British. At present they are fighting side by side with Canadians in the Great European War.
4. Do you know that the "continuous journey laws" of 1908 have practically stopped Hindu immigration, while the Japanese and Chinese have entered Canada in large numbers? Read the Government's official figures:-
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Chinese entered Canada since 1908. 29,783 Japanese entered Canada since 1908. Hindus entered Canada since 1908. Does this not suggest that there is some- thing radically wrong? Are you willing to allow discrimination against citizens of the Empire in favor of alien races, with- out making a protest?
5. Are you willing to have it said of us that we allowed the life blood of these men to be spilled to save us, and refused to give them a place, or allow them at least the same privileges extended to the Japanese and Chinese?
6. Do you know that an immigrant from China or Japan can enter Canada with com- parative ease, while educated Hindus trav- elling as tourists are absolutely refused admittance? The following story of Ram Chandra, residing at Berkley, Calif., U.S.A., will doubtless surprise you, and make you wonder what has happened to British justice.
RAM CHANDRA'S STATEMENT.
In the "Indian Emigrant," dated August, 1915, under the heading of "Indians Are Not Allowed in Canada," appears the following:-
"Much has been said and written about the ill-treatment accorded to Hindustanees in the self-governing Colonies of England, but the justice of the situation cannot be really un-
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