Deported!

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 25, 30 January 1914, Page 5

Deported!

THE AFRSGAM SEN SAT 5 ON.

CARRYING GUT THE ORDER.

[By Eleotbio Telegraph—Copyright,

[United Press Association. I Johannesburg, January 29

The prisoners were surprised to find themselves at Durban, where they arrived at midnight, strongly guarded by the Natal Hilles. A\ a ter police guarded their passage from the train to the steamer ITngeni, whereon Hie Government had chartered all the passengers’ accommodation. Ihe prisoners wore hurriedly taken, without, resistance, to their cabins, each of which was strongly guarded by the water police. '1 he secret was so well kept that no one in Durban was aware of the proceedings.- Even the railway official!* were ignorant, tintrain being designated for special conveyance of a theatrical company. The Unigeni crossed the bar and anchored in the roadstead. The deporteds were then informed of the Government’s plan. Neither the detectives nor the railway Officials were warned to hold themselves in readiness. hen the chief detective ultimately gave orders, lie told the men selected simply to bring their overcoats and handcuffs. The news leaked out in Johannos-

Imrg through a civilian chancing tc hoar the inmates of the prison van singing “The Red Flag,” while being taken to the train. He informed the newspapers. The Rand Mail published the news, but the censor then warned the newspapers not to refer to the matter. The deporteds were moved on Monday night, and

conveyed in a prison van some miles into the country, where they were

placed in a train containing troops. They had no idea whither they were going, but believed Pretoria-wards. All the windows and shutters were kept closed.

RUMOR OF CONSPIRACY

London, January 29

Harry Poland, interviewed, said that at first sight it makes the blood boil to think of ten respectable members of the Labor Party being banished as such. He was therefore inclined to think there was truth, in. the statement about a conspiracy to upset the Government and establish a

Labor Republi

THE TIMES ON THE SITUATION

London, January 29

The Times says the gravity of the situation lies in the fact that the Government, legislature, and electorates of South Africa apparently approve of an administrative step which is certain to provoke the strongest resentment amongst large and powerful classes of the electorates at Home, and possibly electorates in the other Dominions. The deportation is the most startling event that lias yet occurred to reveal our want of common policy in dealing with an Imperial problem which will affect more than one self-governing community.

AFRICAN OPINION. A STRICT CENSORSHIP, (Received 9.20 a.m.) | > London, January 29. 1 Capetown correspondents summarise the opinion of the various capitois. In Capetown some of the Unionists vho hitherto sunported the Government feel that it is a dangerous precedent and it is better to await an Act of Parliament sanctioning the deportations. There is little doubt the Government will secure an indemnity.

In Durban it is generally admitted that the agitators are dangerous members of the community, but it would be better if the courts regularised expulsion. ) In Johannesburg the Government’s action is approved as meaning the end of the labour unrest for a considerable time.

It is understood that Mr Smuts (Minister for Defence) is chiefly responsible for the deportations. Mr Creswell, M.P., despatched telegrams to the Labour leaders in various centres but the press censor returned them.

All the morning papers were prohibited from publishing accounts of yesterday’s Supreme Court proceedings. The Daily Telegraph’s Johannesburg correspondent cabled that Waterston has been deported to Australia.

I UNION EXECUTIVE’S ACT. 1 NATIVE RISING AVERTED. (Received 9.40 a.m.) London, January 29. The newspapers eagerly await (General Hotha’s vindication of the executive acts and the Cnion Parliament’s debate thereon.

Some emphasise the report that the deported men started the revolution but failed, and that had they succeeded, a Native rising was almost inevitable.

THE LEGAL ASPECT.

(Received 11.55 a.in.) London, January 29. J The Star suggests that the steamer iFmgeni is liable to he indicted for jfalse imprisonment, ami mentions a similar ease in 1859,'when Lesley, eapjtain of an English vessel, contracted iwith the Chilian Government to coni'voy banished poDtioians to Liverpool. [The Lord Chief Justice held that the 1 Chilian law beyond the three-mile 'limit was superseded by the Rrilisli, and Lesley was convicted ror falsi imprisonment.

VARIOUS OPINIONS.

“NOT TOO SEVERE.”

Times— Sydney Sun Special Cables

Received S.O a.m.)

Capetown, January 29

Men of iniluenee and standing are inclined to think the punishment of deportation is not too severe. The Arens states that it notices a growing preference on the part of the new bureaucracy for high-handed arhitratrary methods, and gut's on to say: It will he nothing short of a national calamity if the late unfortunate happenings encouraged the growth of fids evil spirit. The 'rimes’ Johannesburg correspondent says the deported men are blatant demagogues* rather than inllnential leaders, who are tolerated chiefly because their flery i.t appealed to the mob