The Prince’s Visit.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 December 1921, Page 2

The Prince’s Visit.

PRINCE BOYCOTTED AT CALCUTTA CITY IN MILITARY GRIP. IPSTTtATJAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.

DELHI, Dec. 25

Although a boycott and general strike were imposed bv Dr agents, and have bad a marked effect in Calcutta, they failed to produce as great an impression on the reception of the Prince as the agitators had striven for, as far as the progress from the station to the Government House was concerned. The Prince was well cheered, although there were chiefly crowds of Europeans. It is estimated there were not more than 5000 Indians on the entire route. Dalhousie Square, where the Prince paused to receive an address was the rallying point of the bulk of the An-glo-Indian population, with the result that the reception there was as enthusiastic as any in London. Near the throne on an open stand sat a Thibetan delegation.

Reports received indicate that a Hartal against the Prince is proceeding quietly throughout the city. The greatest possible precautions are taken to cope with any outbreak or disorder. The city is kept filled with troops, including horse and foot men, and guns and armoured cars, which are drawn up in side streets abutting on the processional route. Volunteer battalions numbering 5000 give help to keep order, in addition to Civil Guards to the total of another 5000.

The hartal is not as complete as last November, for many cabs, trams and omnibuses aite running, and a majority of the private servants have not succumbed to terrorist threats.

Dr Ghandi’s emissaries who had ennvessed the city steadily for the past few weeks, have succeeded in forcing a closure of the bazaars.

The Government’s new policy is one of repression. It has resulted approximately in 10,000 arrests in 10 days. There were 750 arrested yesterday. Eight thousand still remain in custody.

The mill workers, wiio are sinister factors in unrest, usually flock to Calcutta oil these occasions, but to-day they were tightly “bottled up” beyond the Hoogly. Very few succeeded in trickling past the cordon which rings the city. i

All possible preparations are being made by Europeans to cope with a week’s stoppage of supplies. Some hotels have laid in five days’ supplies. The servants, showing signs of striking through pressure by Ghandits, were warned' and permanently dismissed. Every vacancy in the hotels is being filled immediately by Javanese. The Prince attended the races during the day, and the city was wonderfully illuminated at night. The Prince spent Christmas Day quietly.

THE PRINCE IN INDIA. (Received This Day at 8.30 a.m.) DELHI, December 26. The only sign of political discontent among the natives was a diminished crowd" that witnessed the race for the Viceroy’s Cup which was run in the presence of the Prince of Wales and practically the. entire European and Anglo-Indian communities, as well as notable Indians. About seven thousand natives of the lower clauses watched the Prince with the keenest interest, but did not join in the demonstraion of loyalty. Gandhi’s emissaries failed signalling in their endeavours to keep the entire native population aloof from the races. The effort of Saturday’s hartal seems to have exhausted itself in the Bazaars, for all the shops are now open for business as usual. No demonstrations of any kind are being made political agitators failed to counteract the glare of the illuminations at night. The Bengalis came in thousands into the European quarter. The tension which existed in the city on the morning, of the Prince’s arrival has perceptibly relaxed and although civilian Guards still keep a close watch on the areas where disaffection is most acute.