THE DEPORTED LEADERS.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14889, 31 January 1914, Page 11

THE DEPORTED LEADERS.

MOVE CAUSES GREAT STIR. PUBLIC OPINION DIVIDED. ■ i LABOUR UP IN ARMS. \ (Bj Cable.—Pre*. Aiiociation—Co**.****-*--CAPE TOWN, January 29. Correspondents summarise tho opinion in the various capitals. In Cape Town somo Unionists who have hitherto supported the Government feel that its action is a dangerous precedent, and it would have been better to await an Act of Parliament sanctioning the deportations. There is little doubt tho Government will securo indemnity. In Durban it is generally admitted that the agitators were dangerous members of the community, but is is considered it would have been better if the courts had regularised tho expulsions. In Johannesburg the Government's action is approved as meaning the end of labour, unrest for a considerable time. lt is understood that General Smuts was chiefly responsible for the deportations. •Mr Cress well, M.P., despatched telegrams to Labour leaders in the various centres, but the Press Censor returned them all. The morning papers wore prohibited from publishing accounts of yesterday's Supreme Court proceedings. BOTHA'S VINDICATION. AWAITED IN ENGLAND. LONDON, January 29. The "Daily Telegraph's" Johannesburg correspondent says .that Waterston has been deported to.Australia. The newspapers eagerly await General Botha's vindication of tho Executive's acts and the Union Parliament's debate thereon. Some emphasize the report that Che deported men started a revolution but failed. Had they succeeded a native rising would have been almost inevitable. THE CAPTAIN'S* LIABILITY. JOHANNESBURG. January 29. The "Star" 6Uggests that the captain of the steamer Umgeni is liable to be indicted for false imprisonment, and mentions a similar case in 1859, when Lesley, captain of an English vessel, contracted with the Chilian Government to convey banished politicians to Liverpool. The Lord Chief Justice held that the Chilian law beyond the three mile limit was superseded by the British, and Lesley was convicted of subjecting- the men to false imprisonment. The court-martial acquitted Oliver on the charge of being in possession of dynamite. ~ THE DEPORTED LEADERS. .. .. "MERE BLATANT DEMAGOGUES." CAPE TOWN, January 29. Men. of influence and standing are inclined to think that the punishment of deportation is not too sevore. Tho "Argus" notices a growing preference on tho part of the new bureaucracy for high-handed arbitrary methods, and says it would be -nothing short of a national calatnity if the late unfortunate happenings encouraged the growth of this evil spirit. The Johannesburg correspondent of "The Times'' says that the Reported men were blatant demagogues rather than influential leaders. They were tolerated chiefly because their fiery utterances appeal6d to the mob. MINERS IN-FLIGHT. BEWARE Of"t__E FARMERS. <"Tiine_"-Sydney "San" Special Cab!-) (Received January SOth, 5.30 p.m.) CAPE TOWN, January 29. There is a remarkablo rush of miners f rom tho Transvaal. They "aro booking for England, Australia, and New Zealand. Tho Government has severely curtailed the legislative programmo, thinking, in view of the excited state of public feeling, that it is advisable to make tho session as short as possible. Constitutionalists like. Messrs Momman, Duncan, andW. P. Schreiner take a serious view of the deportations, though they recognise the need of martial law. , The deportees wore told that they were being taken to Zululand, and were given a change of underclothing. Tho captain of the Umgeni was given a small sum of money to hand to them on reaching London. Lord Gladstone, speaking at a show, declared that some people had recently forgotten that there were farmers in South Africa. They did not wish to interfere with other classes, but they were determined that their own views and rights should not be interfered with. SOUTH AFRICA-*? PRESS COMMENTS. MR CRESSWELL ON THE DEPORTATIONS. (Received January 30th, 11.45 p.m.) CAPE TOWN, January 30. The censorship prevents the publication of expressions of public opinion in tho Transvaal, but newspapers which are generally opposed to the Govern? ment, including tbe East London "Despateb," the Kimberley "Advertiser," and the Pretoria "News," are now defending General Botha's measures. The Natal "Mercury" is convinced that a majority in Parliament will support General Botha. The Bloemfontein newspaper, tho "Friend," draws a distinction between the rights of the political Labour Party and thoso of tho revolutionary Labour Party. Mr Cresswell, on arrival at Cape Town, was welcomed by a large crowd. He addressed three thousand people, who passed a resolution condemning tho deportations without trial. Mr Cresswell compared the Government to Levantine brigands. If they hoped to damage the Labour movement, their action was like an endeavour to dam up the Amazon with a teasDOonful of mud.

MINOR LEADERS RELEASED. (Received January SOth, 11.50 p.m.) JOHANNJESBURG, January SO. Four pickets at Braamfontein were charged with obstructing nine of the strikers returning to work. One who used threats **as fined £20, and thothera £2 to £5 each. Tole, who is now president of the Trades Federation owing to Watson's deportation, has been unconditionally released, also Carbis and Campbell. MORE THaITeXPECTED. depoetationlbill DROPPED. MEN'S WIVES WITHOUT MEANS. (Received January 30th, 10.50 p.m.) LONDON, January 30. Th_» "Daily Mail's" Durban correspondent says that the papers seized at Johannesburg before the deportation of the men disclosed moro than the Government expected, and the military authorities became apprehensive. Tho "Daily Telegraph's" Capo Town correspondent says that tho Government has abandoned the idea of a Deportation Bill, because Lord Gladstone intimated that it must be reserved for the Home Government's consent. The deportees left seven wives and nineteen children, who are mostly without means. Waterston's wife and four children are unprovided for. The "Daily Telegraph" recalls that Watereton was a member of an Australian Contingent in tho South African War, and represented his regiment at King Edward's Coronation. Watson was married only four months ago. UNDER SEALED ORDERS. OWNERS INDEMNIFIED AGAINST PROCEEDINGS. , MEN TRAVELLING LIGHT. (Received January 80th, 11.5 p.m.) CAPE TOWN. January SO. It is pointed out that it is easy for the Imperial authorities to intercept the Umgeni. Her 6peed is but eleven knots, and it will be several days beforo she rounds tho Cape of Good Hope. The Hyacinth could easily find her. It is understood that the Union Government has indemnified tho owners in the event of proceedings in the English Courts. The vessel sailed under sealed ordore, and is practically under the Union Government's control. Nobody will bo allowed to communicate with the persons on hoard during the voyage. She will not call at Las Palmas. .When the deportees arrived at Durban they had few bolocgings except the clothes they wero wearing. The Government supplied each with a shirt, singlet, and a pair of socks. A DENIAL. MEN'S DEPENDENTS TO BE CARED FOR BY THE GOVERNMENT. ("Timc9"-Sydney "Sun" Special Cable.) (Received January SOth, 5.30 p.m.) / LONDON, January 29. The report that Lord Gladstone is coming to London to explain General Botha's action is unfounded. It is understood that the deportees' wives and children will be looked after by the Government. IF WATERSTON CAME TO AUSTRALIA. (Received January 30th, .9.50 p.m.) MELBOURNE, Janua_7.3o. Mr Glynn, referring to the cabled rumour that .Watorston, the South African Labour leader, was to be deported toAustraha,6aidho__newof nothing to prevent him landing if he wished. Expatriation by an executive act under martial law* did not necessarily place a stigma on anyone. However, if any part of the Dominions adopted the practice of dumping real undesirables into Australia, action would have to be taken. RESOLUTIONS OF PROTEST. (Received January 31st, 12.85 a.m.) SYDNEY, January SO. Labour unions in tho various-States are adopting resolutions of protest against the lleportation of the South African Labour leaders.