THE KOMAGATA INCIDENT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 188, 18 January 1915, Page 2

THE KOMAGATA INCIDENT.

REPORT OF THK CO.UMJSSJOX. By-Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Delhi, January la. Tlio report of the. committee appointed to inquire into the KoKio.?iUa Mam voyage and subsequent riot'when the natives returned to Calcutta, has been published. The report finds that the immigrants proceeded to Vancouver in the belief that they would be allowed to land. Though their leaders were aware of the law they deliberately misled the others. The committee is precluded from discussing the Canadian immigration law and the action of the Vancouver authorities. The report indicates that at various stages of the return voyage successful efforts* were made by revolutionary organisations outside India to promote' dissatisfaction among the natives, many of whom wore in a dangerous state of mind when leaving Vaiiooilvcr and intended to cause trouble in India on their return. On the arrival of their ship in the Hoogli the emigrants were directed to proceed to their homes from' Budge, an outlying station near Calcutta. The Indians refused, but a torce of ■ military and poli.ee induced them to return. While train arrange'uients were oeing made an immigrant, without cause, fired at a police escort. The report shows that they had a number of weapons concealed and ready for immediate use. The voops then fired, killing numbers and dispersing the rest, all of whom were subsequently arrested. !

The committee commends the action of the officers and says the Bengal Government was justified' in prohibiting the men from entering Calcutta. The Indian Covcrnment expresses satisfaction with the committee's report. It regrets that its motives were not understood and the unfortunate loss of life. It is not intended to prosecute men who were released, save the 'ringleader, who is detained for the present.