|
|
1908 |
January |
1 |
Transvaal Immigrants’ Restriction Act (
Henceforth referred to as TIRA) (No.15 of 1907)
came into force. Mass meeting held at Surti
Mosque, Fordsburg, to protest against TIRA and
Transvaal Asiatic Registration Act2 (TARA henceforth)
(Law 2 of 1907). |
|
1908 |
January |
3 |
Gandhi appeared in Johannesburg Court to defend
Nawab Khan and Sumandar Khan prosecuted under
TARA. |
|
1908 |
January |
4 |
British Indian Association (BIA henceforth)
informed Receiver of Revenues that, if Indian traders
not registered under TARA were refused licences,
they would trade without them. |
|
1908 |
|
|
Gandhi pointed out in a letter to The Star that
TARA rested on an unproved charge against
Asiatics. |
|
1908 |
|
|
Smuts in speech at Mayville said that Indians
had been misled by their leaders and declared that
no Parliament in the country could repeal
TARA. |
|
1908 |
January |
After 4 |
Gandhi attempted unsuccessfully to see General
Smuts regarding his speech at Mayville. |
|
1908 |
January |
6 |
In interviews to The Star and The Transvaal
Leader Gandhi summed up Indian position against
TARA. |
|
1908 |
January |
8 |
Told Reuter that, if TARA was suspended, all
Indians would be registered within a month. |
|
1908 |
January |
Before 10 |
Writing in Indian Opinion , reiterated Indians’
determination to face imprisonment and
deportation. |
|
1908 |
|
|
Gandhi adopted the term "satyagraha" as
Gujarati equivalent for passive resistance. |
|
1908 |
January |
10 |
His last message to Transvaal Indians exhorting
them to remain steadfast. |
|
1908 |
|
|
Assured The Star that Indians would register
voluntarily if element of compulsion in TARA was
withdrawn. |
|
1908 |
|
|
Addressed a meeting before his trial. |
|
1908 |
|
|
Tried and sentenced to jail for two
months. |
|
1908 |
|
|
Declared, in final interview to Rand Daily
Mail, that he had undertaken the struggle prayerfully
and in all humility. |
|
1908 |
January |
21 |
Cartwright met Gandhi in jail and they agreed
upon voluntary registration by Indians in return for
repeal of TARA. |
|
1908 |
|
|
Addressed petition to Director of Prisons
regarding Asiatic prisoners’ diet-scale. |
|
1908 |
January |
27 |
Public meetings held in Ahmednagar and
elsewhere in India, protesting to Imperial Government
against TARA. |
|
1908 |
January |
28 |
Blue book on Transvaal Asiatic legislation
published in London. |
|
1908 |
|
|
At meeting in New Reform Club, London, Sir. W.
Wedderburn declared that, since Imperial Government
spent £ 3 million annually on defense of
Transvaal, it had a right to demand that Transvaal
Indians be treated in keeping with Imperial traditions.
Sir M.M. Bhownaggree warned of an "Imperial
danger" and M.A. Jinnah (M.A. Jinnah had been appointed
by Anjuman Islam, Bombay, "to proceed to England
and there to place the position of the Transvaal
Indians before the people of England and to do all in
his power to create public opinion in favor of a
settlement of the Asiatic difficulty in the Colonies",
Indian Opinion 11.1.1908)said all Indians were
united in their protest against humiliating
treatment of Transvaal Indians. |
|
1908 |
|
|
Cartwright brought compromise letter drafted
either by himself or General Smuts to Gandhi in jail.
After amending it, Gandhi signed it along with
Quinn and Naidoo at 12-30 p.m. |
|
1908 |
|
|
At 2-30 p.m. Cartwright left for Pretoria to
meet General Smuts. |
|
1908 |
|
|
At 5 p.m. Cartwright rang up to say General
Smuts had accepted the terms of compromise
letter. |
|
1908 |
January |
29 |
Public meeting held at Bombay under
chairmanship of His Highness The Aga Khan protested
against TARA and appealed to Imperial Government
to intervene and, failing that, to allow a retaliatory
policy in India against South Africans. |
|
1908 |
January |
30 |
Acting Assistant Colonial Secretary wrote
accepting compromise letter. |
|
1908 |
|
|
Gandhi escorted to Pretoria to meet General
Smuts; settlement reached regarding voluntary
registration and its validation. |
|
1908 |
|
|
Learnt from Chamney that legalization of
voluntary registration by Asiatics being proposed under
TARA. |
|
1908 |
|
|
Unsuccessfully sought another interview with
General Smuts. |
|
1908 |
|
|
In interview to Rand Daily Mail and The
Transvaal Leader discussed the "compromise" and
his treatment in prison. |
|
1908 |
|
|
Addressed midnight meeting, a thousand strong,
in precincts of Hamidia Mosque. |
|
1908 |
|
|
Formally released from prison. |
|
1908 |
|
|
Spoke at BIA meeting explaining
settlement. |
|
1908 |
|
|
In interview to Reuter suggested that Asiatic
with domiciliary rights be assimilated in future South
African nation; agreed with General Smuts that
indenture system in Natal should be stopped. |
|
1908 |
January |
31 |
All satyagrahis released. |
|
1908 |
|
|
In Press interview General Smuts said that
Asiatics could trade without license pending
legalization of compromise. Said that demand for
repeal of TARA was preposterous and Indians had
not persisted in it. |
|
1908 |
February |
? |
In Cape general elections South African Party
led by Merriman returned to power. |
|
1908 |
February |
1 |
Gandhi wrote to General Smuts against
Government’s intention to legalize voluntary
registration under TARA and proposed that this be
done by amendment of TIRA instead. |
|
1908 |
|
|
In interview to Press, refuted charge of
organized surreptitious entry of British Indians, on
which TARA was based. |
|
1908 |
February |
2 |
Declared at BIA meeting in Johannesburg that,
if violence was to be used against those giving
fingerprints, he should be first victim. |
|
1908 |
February |
3 |
Met General Smuts who in Chamney’s presence
repeated promise to repeal TARA if Transvaal
Asiatics registered voluntarily. G.K. Gokhale
asked at meeting of Viceroy’s Council if India
Government were aware of "the depth and intensity of
public feeling" at the "injustice and indignities"
of Transvaal Indians. Replying for Government
Findlay said that they sympathized with their Transvaal
subject and had reason to hope "current
negotiations" would remove their "just
grievances". |
|
1908 |
February |
4 |
Lord Ampthill’s call-attention motion in House
of Lords, Lord Curzon also spoke. |
|
1908 |
February |
5 |
The Times, London, blamed Colonial Office for
"lack of imagination" in not having urged Imperial
interests on Transvaal Government and brought about a
settlement earlier. It called for an agreed
Imperial attitude in self-governing Colonies in matters
of race. |
|
1908 |
February |
5 - 6 (?) |
In course of public speeches and Press
interviews, Smuts promised freedom from arrest for
violation of TARA and unlicensed trade. The law
would not be repealed meanwhile. A measure to validate
such registration would, however, be introduced in
Parliament when it met next. Announced that aim of
compromise was to reduce Colony’s Asiatic
population. |
|
1908 |
February |
8 |
Explaining procedure for voluntary registration
in Indian Opinion, Gandhi advised educated Indians
not to exercise option in favor of affixing their
signatures rather than finger-impressions on
voluntary registration applications. |
|
1908 |
February |
10 |
Voluntary registration began. |
|
1908 |
|
|
Gandhi assaulted by Mir Alam Khan and others;
appealed from his sickbed at Doke’s house that
assailants be forgiven, and asked Asiatics to give
their fingerprints voluntarily. |
|
1908 |
February |
11 |
Dr. G.U. Pope died at Oxford. |
|
1908 |
February |
15 |
"A Dialogue on the Compromise" published in
Indian Opinion.(In his book Satyagraha in South
Africa Gandhi, however, says that he wrote this during
his stay at Phoenix where he arrived sometime
after March 6.) |
|
1908 |
February |
22 |
Gandhi wrote in Indian Opinion of February 22
and 29 explaining conditions under which he accepted
compromise and clarifying Indian community’s
obligations; emphasized solidarity of Transvaal
Hindus and Muslims. |
|
1908 |
|
|
Wrote to General Smuts, enclosing Draft Bill to
amend TIRA; suggested therein repeal of Peace
Preservation Ordinance and TARA. |
|
1908 |
February |
29 |
Number of voluntary registration applications
at Johannesburg rose to 3,400. |
|
1908 |
March |
5 |
Gandhi left for Durban to dispel widespread
misunderstanding of compromise among Pathans and
others. |
|
1908 |
|
|
Addressed public meeting under auspices of
Natal Indian Congress at Durban. Another attempted
assault on Gandhi, evidently by Pathans. |
|
1908 |
March |
6 |
Met Durban pathans who insisted that he had
betrayed community; reported that this conciliatory
meeting was a failure. |
|
1908 |
|
|
Left for Phoenix along with a "merry party" to
"meet my family" after convalescence. |
|
1908 |
March |
10 |
Sir Lepel Griffin died in London. |
|
1908 |
March |
14 |
At dinner, said to be the first of its kind in
South Africa, BIA gave gifts to whites who had helped
in satyagraha campaign. |
|
1908 |
March |
17 |
In Calcutta, Lord Minto declared that failure
of crops in United Provinces had affected 50 million
people. Famine conditions had developed in U.P. in
September 1907. |
|
1908 |
March |
18 |
Number of voluntary registrants in Johannesburg
increased to 5,090. |
|
1908 |
March |
21 |
T.J. Bennett, Proprietor-Editor of The Times of
India, wrote to Lord Ampthill confirming
representative character of Bombay meeting.Men of all
races including European merchants and officials
exercised over question. |
|
1908 |
March |
24 |
In Canada, Supreme Court nullified Government’s
deportation order on 146 Indians who had arrived by
S.S. Monteagle; they were consequently
released. |
|
1908 |
March |
26 |
Lord Selborne speaking at Klerksdorp declared
that "East is East West is West" and that, because
"white man’s civilization is expensive", he could not
compete with Indian trader. Suggested reservation
of unoccupied portions of Empire for Asiatic
settlement. British and Boer were equal partners
in British Empire. |
|
1908 |
March |
Before 30 |
Dr. C. O’Grady Gubbins, Colonial Secretary,
announced Natal Government’s intention to enact
legislation to discontinue immigration of indentured
labor and to stop issue of licences to "Arab"
traders after ten years. |
|
1908 |
March |
30 |
Bill to amend Transvaal Gold Law published in
Government Gazette extraordinary. |
|
1908 |
April |
6 |
H.S.L. Polak enrolled as attorney of Transvaal
Supreme Court. |
|
1908 |
April |
10 |
Transvaal Municipal Association passed
resolution saying that Natives and Colored persons
should be denied municipal franchise and right to
own freehold land and made to live in Locations and
trade in Bazaars. |
|
1908 |
April |
Before 12 |
Meeting of Het Volk Congress urged that all
Asiatics be moved into Bazaars. General Smuts hoped that
Municipal (Consolidation) Bill would solve problem
of "Colored people living among whites". |
|
1908 |
April |
19 |
Natal Agricultural Union protested against
proposed stoppage of Indian immigration; declared Indian
labor necessary for Natal’s industries. |
|
1908 |
April |
21 |
Strike in India Telegraph Service. |
|
1908 |
April |
22 |
Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman died. |
|
1908 |
April |
Before 24 |
Lord Ampthill asked that Oriental immigration
to colonies be discussed at an Imperial
Conference. |
|
1908 |
April |
Before 25 |
BIA wrote to General Smuts protesting against
draft amendment to Transvaal Gold Law. |
|
1908 |
April |
Before 26 |
At congress of Progressive Party, Sir Percy
Fitzpatrick said he had no faith in "coercive
legislation" and "race differentiation". He called upon
the white man "to justify himself" and to "outwork
the Native". |
|
1908 |
April |
Before 27 |
Gandhi returned to Johannesburg from Phoenix
(?) |
|
1908 |
April |
30 |
Bomb incident at Muzaffarpur in
India. |
|
1908 |
|
|
Last day for satyagrahi traders who had been
carrying on unlicensed trade to take out licences.
There were issued up to December 31 to voluntary
registrants and up to June 30 for traders who had
not so registered. |
|
1908 |
May |
2 |
According to cablegram report, an Afghan
lashkar about 20,000 strong crossed over into India;
"unofficial war" began. |
|
1908 |
May |
3 |
A bomb "factory" discovered in offices of
Navasakti. Aurobindo Ghosh, formerly of Yugantar,
and 50 other arrested. |
|
1908 |
May |
Before 8 |
Natal Bills published in Government
Gazette. |
|
1908 |
May |
Before 9 |
Inter-Colonial Conference, persecutor of
National Convention, met at Pretoria to discuss
interstate railway and customs matters, but only
passed six resolutions, moved by General Smuts and
prescribing procedure for attaining immediate union.
Sessions lasted less than a week. |
|
1908 |
May |
9 |
Last date for voluntary registration by
Asiatics; 8,700 applications received and 6,000
accepted. |
|
1908 |
May |
12 |
In telegram Chamney announced that all Asiatics
entering Colony after May 9 should register under TARA.
Gandhi wrote to General Smuts asking that this
misunderstanding of compromise be clarified. |
|
1908 |
May |
13 |
Transvaal Municipal (Consolidation) Bill
gazetted. Bill envisaged empowering Municipalities to
deal with traders and denying hawkers right of
appeal to law Courts regarding administrative
decisions on licences. |
|
1908 |
May |
14 |
Gandhi wrote to Cartwight saying his services
as mediator might again be required. |
|
1908 |
|
|
Wrote to Lane saying that period of three
months in compromise letter was never intended to apply
to Asiatics returning to Colony or otherwise
possessing right of reentry; urged General Smuts
to accept voluntary registration of new arrivals
and repeal Act. |
|
1908 |
May |
Before 15 |
Deputy Labor Minister Mackenzie King, who
returned to Canada on April 26 after consultations about
Indian immigration with Imperial Government
announced in Dominion Parliament that there was no
"necessity of enacting any legislation either in India
or Canada" to solve problem. |
|
1908 |
May |
15 |
Lane wrote to Gandhi saying Colonial Secretary
could not depart from earlier decision. |
|
1908 |
May |
Before 16 |
Gandhi met Cartwright; decision to interview
General Smuts taken. |
|
1908 |
|
|
Natal Mercury, Times of Natal, The Star, and
the Leader deprecated Natal Bills. |
|
1908 |
May |
16 |
In interview to The Star Gandhi welcomed Natal
Bill to stop indentured immigration; condemned other
two Bills. |
|
1908 |
|
|
Following General Smuts’ emphatic refusal to
extend voluntary registration facilities to Asiatics
with domiciliary rights but entering after
three-month compromise period, accused General
Smuts, in weekly newsletter, of "foul play" but still
hoped latter would repeal TARA. |
|
1908 |
May |
17 |
Essop Mia, Chairman, BIA, assaulted by a
Pathan. |
|
1908 |
May |
18 |
Speaking at Y.M.C.A., Johannesburg, Gandhi
claimed that Colored races were at integral part of the
Empire and declared his faith in mission of
British to raise subject races to equality with
themselves. |
|
1908 |
May |
20 |
Writing in Indian Opinion, appealed to Pathan
community to express disapproval of acts of violence
by isolated Pathans. |
|
1908 |
|
|
Writing in his newsletter on assault on Essop
Mia, declared that, if one lacked the requisite
courage for Satyagraha, one might use arms in
self-defence. |
|
1908 |
|
|
In House of Lords, Lord Ampthill complained
about "the inactivity of the Imperial Government [in
the matter of Natal Bills] which have encouraged
the Transvaal to imitate Natal thus attempting to
restore a tyranny worse than under the Kruger
regime." |
|
1908 |
May |
21 |
Gandhi wrote to General Smuts asking for public
announcement of repeal of TARA. |
|
1908 |
May |
22 |
The Transvaal Leader reported that the
Government was preparing a Bill legalizing
voluntary registration and excepting such
registrants from TARA. |
|
1908 |
|
|
Lane replied stating General Smuts’ inability
to comply with above request. |
|
1908 |
|
|
Registrar of Asiatics wrote to BIA pointing out
that introduction of minors into Colony by Asiatics
punishable under TARA. |
|
1908 |
May |
23 |
Chairman, BIA, replied that, since Indians had
registered voluntarily in compliance with compromise,
they considered TARA a dead letter and its
enforcement, breach of compromise. |
|
1908 |
|
|
Gandhi shown draft of Transvaal Asiatics’
Registration Validation Bill by Cartwright. |
|
1908 |
May |
26 |
BIA wrote Colonial Secretary informing him of
British Indians’ decision to withdraw voluntary
registration applications as the letter had gone back on
his "compromise assurance." |
|
1908 |
|
|
Gandhi, Bawazeer, Naidoo and Quinn wrote to
Chamney asking for return of their voluntary
registration applications. |
|
1908 |
May |
27 |
Gandhi explained situation at meeting of BIA
Committee, which endorsed resumption of
Satyagraha. |
|
1908 |
May |
29 |
Telegraphed Chamney asking for return of
application forms. |
|
1908 |
May |
Before 30 |
Circular sent to BIA Town Committees
instructing Indians to withdraw voluntary registration
applications and informing them of resumption of
satyagraha. Gandhi repeated offer to defend
satyagrahis free of charge. |
|
1908 |
May |
30 |
In letter to Indian Opinion, announced that
satyagraha would be resumed. |
|
1908 |
|
|
Telegram from Chamney, in reply to Gandhi’s of
29th, to say that letter’s draft Bill for amending
TIRA had been misplaced and asking for another copy.
This was sent. |
|
1908 |
|
|
Gandhi wrote to Lane asking for permission to
publish correspondence with General Smuts between
February 1 and 22. |
|
1908 |
June |
Before 1 |
Draft "Ordinance" to restrict Asiatic
immigration into Southern Rhodesia gazetted. |
|
1908 |
June |
1 |
Gandhi informed over phone that General Smuts
had called Cabinet meeting to consider Indian issue; his
reply would be sent on June 2. |
|
1908 |
June |
Before 2 |
Met Chamney at Winchester House. |
|
1908 |
June |
2 |
Eminent white sympathizers met and reaffirmed
support to Indian cause. |
|
1908 |
|
|
Question in Imperial Parliament whether His
Majesty’s Government intended to intervene in view
of threatened breach of compromise and revival of
Indian agitation. |
|
1908 |
June |
4 |
Gandhi invited to meet General Smuts on June 6
to discuss new draft of validation Bill. |
|
1908 |
|
|
In another letter Lane refused permission to
publish correspondence with General Smuts. |
|
1908 |
June |
6 |
Gandhi met General Smuts; discussed mode of
validating voluntary registration, his draft amendment
of TIRA and right of future Asiatic immigrants to
voluntary registration. Smuts assented TARA was
wholly bad and served no useful purpose. Emergence of
disagreement about categories of Asiatics whose
right of domicile was to be recognized under proposed
legislation. Gandhi asked for assurance of repeal
of TARA, else he would move Supreme Court for return
of applications. |
|
1908 |
|
|
Wrote to Cartwright asking him to persuade
Progressives not to obstruct repeal of TARA. |
|
1908 |
June |
12 |
Sent General Smuts a telegram announcing
decision to move Supreme Court for return of
applications on advice of eminent counsel Smuts
asked him to an interview the next day. |
|
1908 |
June |
Before 13 |
Gandhi wrote in Indian Opinion against Rhodesia
Bill for compulsory registration of Indians. |
|
1908 |
June |
13 |
Met General Smuts who promised decision within
a week; move to approach Supreme Court put off by a week
at meeting of BIA Committee. |
|
1908 |
|
|
In a letter, the same day, covering
discussions, Gandhi pleaded that any amendment of TIRA
should protect rights of (1) prewar refugees, (2)
holders of £3 registration certificates and PPO permits;
and (3) rights of would-be educated immigrants
should not be jeopardized by compromise. |
|
1908 |
June |
16 |
Repeal of TARA at instance of Imperial
Government rumored in Johannesburg Press. |
|
1908 |
June |
19 |
Telegram asking Gandhi to interview with
General Smuts next day. |
|
1908 |
June |
20 |
Gandhi met General Smuts who asked to see him
again on June 22 "to consider one or two minor points
that remain". |
|
1908 |
June |
22 |
Leader editorial, saying TARA would be
repealed. |
|
1908 |
|
|
At meeting with General Smuts, Gandhi was shown
draft amendment to TIRA - an "excellent Bill" for
voluntary registrants, past and future- which, however,
executed the three categories of persons and
declared them prohibited immigrants. Gandhi’s proposal
for referring educated Indian’s issue to Supreme
Court was turned down. General Smuts also refused
right of judicial review of voluntary registrants’ claim
rejected by Registrar of Asiatics. On Gandhi’s
refusal to agree to these conditions, General Smuts
announced decision to retrain TARA and amend it to
validate voluntary registration. |
|
1908 |
|
|
In interviews and letters to press, Gandhi
announced breach of compromises and his intention to
move Supreme Court for return of applications for
voluntary registration. |
|
1908 |
|
|
BIA Committee endorsed proposed test case in
Supreme Court. In Press statement explaining breakdown
of negotiations, General Smuts argued that
compromise letter of January 29 did not mention
repeal of TARA; he was, however, willing to repeal the
Act provided Indians agreed to exclusion of the
three categories of persons in amending bill. Since
Gandhi did not agree, voluntary registration would
be validated by separate measure. |
|
1908 |
June |
Before 23 |
Aswat wrote to Chamney asking for return of
application. |
|
1908 |
June |
23 |
His petition for return of application filed in
Supreme Count. Gandhi and Essop Mia filed
affidavits stating that General Smuts had promised
to repeal TARA. |
|
1908 |
June |
24 |
Mass meeting in Johannesburg announced
community’s resolve to withdraw applications and
reaffirmed resolution of September 11, 1906 not to
submit to TARA. |
|
1908 |
|
|
Sorabji Shapurji entered Transvaal to test
right of educated Indians. |
|
1908 |
|
|
In India, Tilak arrested on charge of sedition
for his articles in Kesari, entitled "The
Country’s Misfortune" of May 12 and "These Remedies Are
Not Lasting" of June 12. |
|
1908 |
June |
25 |
Chamney filed counter-affidavit. |
|
1908 |
June |
26 |
General Smuts filed affidavit saying he had
never promised to repeal Act. |
|
1908 |
|
|
Chamney filed another affidavit to same
effect. |
|
1908 |
June |
29 |
Gandhi and Aswat filed replying affidavits
reaffirming earlier declaration about General Smuts’
promise. |
|
1908 |
July |
Before 2 |
In weekly newsletter, Gandhi declared that
Satyagraha was no longer struggle for self-interest but
for rights of others - the three categories of
"prohibited immigrants". |
|
1908 |
|
|
Burning of registration certificates - if
"voluntary" applications were not returned -
mentioned for first time as means of continuing
Satyagraha. |
|
1908 |
July |
2 |
Aswat’s petition rejected by Supreme
Court. |
|
1908 |
|
|
Gandhi wrote to Transvaal Press, releasing his
correspondence with General Smuts for
publication. |
|
1908 |
July |
4 |
In letter to The Transvaal Leader, Rev. Doke
argued that Indians’ campaign against TARA was
fully justified. |
|
1908 |
July |
Before 5 |
Reported offer by General Smuts, sent through
while mediators, to concede right of entry to holders of
£ 3 registration certificates and to provide for
appeal to Courts against Chamney’s decisions
rejecting claims of voluntary registrants. In return,
Indians were to agree to exclusion of educated
Asiatics. Indians turned down offer. |
|
1908 |
July |
5 |
Meeting in Hamidia Mosque considered situation
arising from Supreme Court’s ruling and decided to
burn registration certificates following
Sunday. |
|
1908 |
July |
6 |
Chairman, BIA, wrote to Colonial Secretary
urging legal rights of three categories of would-be
Indian Immigrants and explaining (1) that
Association could not barter away rights of those
it did not represent and (2) that Indians could
not forgo services of educated follow-countrymen
in future. Also stand community’s resolve to burn
certificates on July 12. |
|
1908 |
July |
7 |
Register of Asiatics instructed municipalities
to demand thumb-impressions under TARA from Asiatic
traders applying for licences. Gandhi interpreted
this to mean that Government wanted to bring
voluntary registrants also under TARA. |
|
1908 |
July |
8 |
Gandhi appeared in Court to defend Sorabji
Shapurji. |
|
1908 |
July |
9 |
Chairman, BIA, wrote to Colonial Secretary (1)
complaining that demand of thumb-impression from
Indian applicants for trading license constituted
breach of compromise and (2) saying that education
test under TIRA could be made very severe. Meanwhile
Indians would put off mass meeting of July 12 for
burning certificates. |
|
1908 |
July |
10 |
Johannesburg Court ordered Shapurji to leave
Colony within seven days. |
|
1908 |
July |
11 |
Gandhi sought elucidation of General Smuts’
offer from Cartwright. |
|
1908 |
July |
14 |
Cartwright confirmed General Smuts’ offer over
telephone. |
|
1908 |
|
|
In letter to Cartwright, Gandhi estimated
number of holders of £ 3 Dutch registration certificates
at 100. Repeated willingness to refer educated
Indians’ issue to Supreme Court and to accept a
severe education test but not one along racial lines,
and announced his determination to carry on
satyagraha. Denied General Smuts’ charge that he
had accepted £ 2 from each Muslim voluntary
registrant. |
|
1908 |
July |
15 |
Report in The Star that settlement of Asiatic
question was probable. |
|
1908 |
July |
16 |
Chairman, BIA, write to The Star announcing
decision of eminent Indians to take to unlicensed
hawking as "protest and penance". |
|
1908 |
|
|
Hawking without licences began. |
|
1908 |
|
|
Lord Milner, speaking on "Closer Union" at
Royal Colonial Institute, London, suggested promotion
of interdependence within Empire to increase
understanding and reduce anti-racial prejudice in
colonies. |
|
1908 |
July |
20 |
Ebrahim Ismail and Suliman Bagas tried and sent
to jail as unlicensed "hawkers". |
|
1908 |
|
|
Gandhi appeared in Court to defend Sorabji
Shapurji; Shapurji sentenced to a month’s hard labor
under PPO, not TIRA. |
|
1908 |
|
|
Indians wishing to enter Court assaulted by
police. |
|
1908 |
|
|
Addressing meeting outside Court, Gandhi asked
traders to court arrest by trading without license as
protest against proposed deprivation of educated
Indians’ rights. |
|
1908 |
|
|
Affidavits filed by Polak and other complaining
of Police misbehavior. |
|
1908 |
|
|
Speaking at mass meeting, Gandhi exhorted
Indian traders not to affix thumb-impressions on their
license applications under TARA. |
|
1908 |
|
|
Wrote that "burning of register is postponed
for time being but their collection need not
be". |
|
1908 |
July |
21 |
Bawazeer, Chairman, Hamidia Islamic Society,
arrested for hawking without licences. |
|
1908 |
July |
22 |
Gandhi appeared in Court to defend Bawazeer and
others. Ratanji Laloo’s appeal dismissed in
Supreme Court. In judgment, Justice Solomon said
Asiatics might be admitted under TIRA education
test. |
|
1908 |
|
|
Four hundred out of 800 Indian hawkers reported
to have taken out licences under TARA. |
|
1908 |
|
|
Imperial Government announced they had
instructed Lord Selborne not to assent to Rhodesian
Asiatic legislation pending consideration by
Secretary of State for Colonies. |
|
1908 |
|
|
In India, Tilak sentenced to six years’
transportation and fine of Rs.1,000. |
|
1908 |
July |
23 |
Indian traders all over South Africa observed
hartal as a mark of respect for Bawazeer. |
|
1908 |
|
|
In Cape Town and Durban, meetings passed
resolutions protesting against sentences on Transvaal
satyagrahis. |
|
1908 |
|
|
In Turkey, Sultan Abdul Hamid accepted
restoration of parliamentary Government. |
|
1908 |
July |
26 |
Gandhi spoke at mass meeting, held to
felicitate Imam Bawazeer and other satyagrahis on their
release. |
|
1908 |
|
|
More "voluntary" certificates and hawkers’
licences handed over to BIA for burning. |
|
1908 |
July |
27 |
Harilal Gandhi arrested for hawking without
licences. |
|
1908 |
|
|
Gandhi shown a copy, by Hosken, of Asiatic
Voluntary Registration Bill - "a fraudulent bill"
which equated voluntary registrants with those who
had submitted to TARA and did not provide for the
three categories of persons. |
|
1908 |
July |
28 |
Gandhi appeared in Court to defend Harilal
Gandhi and others. |
|
1908 |
|
|
Harold Cox asked in House of Commons whether
H.M. Government understood, in Shapurji’s case, test
of desirability to be "one of race or of
education." |
|
1908 |
July |
31 |
In Imperial Parliament, Colonel Seely said
self-governing colonies might exclude whomsoever they
liked but must give those admitted full
rights. |
|
1908 |
|
|
Deputation, introduced by Sir Charles Bruce and
including Sir Muncherjee, Harold Cox, G.K. Gokhale and
Ritch, placed before Lord Crewe the grievances of
Indians in Transvaal, Natal and Rhodesia. |
|
1908 |
August |
Before 1 |
Gandhi wrote, in Indian Opinion that, "after
great deliberation, Tilak’s views on British rule"
should be rejected. It would be "harmful, even useless"
to use violence to "uproot British
rule". |
|
1908 |
|
|
Chinese Association decided to adopt Indian
satyagrahis’ methods. Chairman Quinn and other Chinese
began hawking in Johannesburg. |
|
1908 |
August |
Before 8 |
In letter to Indian Opinion, Gandhi explained
that "it was part of Harilal’s education to go to
goal for the sake of the country". |
|
1908 |
|
|
Speaking at Verceniging, Lord Selborne declared
that Imperial Government were bound to protect
rights only of prewar Transvaal Indians. |
|
1908 |
August |
Before 10 |
At meeting of Progressives at Witbank, Stend,
Editor Pretoria News, referred to TARA as "unfair
legislation" which Government could not enforce. Said
Smuts would again be beaten in controversy by
Gandhi. |
|
1908 |
August |
10 |
Gandhi defended Harilal Gandhi in
Court. |
|
1908 |
|
|
Addressing meeting after trial, declared that
selling of satyagrahi traders’ goods instead of
sending them to jail was "legalized robbery" and
that General Smuts was responsible for "suicide of
the China man and death of young Mr.Naidoo". |
|
1908 |
|
|
Learnt that Progressive Party would oppose
repeal of TARA. |
|
1908 |
August |
11 |
Transvaal Leader editorial described "the
harrying of the Asiatics" as "part of a deep state
men-like plan"; "we have sought earnestly for the
statesmanship; and we are a little
tired." |
|
1908 |
|
|
Bill to validate voluntary registration of
Asiatics published in Government Gazette. |
|
1908 |
August |
12 |
In interview to The Transvaal Leader, Gandhi
explained that proposed bill to validate voluntary
registration violated terms of compromise. It did not
repeal TARA, nor did it specifically exempt
voluntary registrants from scope of Act. In required
minors and fresh entrants to register under
TARA. |
|
1908 |
|
|
A Daily Telegraph correspondent wrote, as quoted by
Ritch, that "there was no doubt that the
Government intended to repeal Registration Act… In
fact, the Registrar of Asiatics read him some of
the more important provisions of the Act…{as} approved
of by Mr. Smuts". |
|
1908 |
August |
12-13 (?) |
Dawad Mahomed, Parsee Rustomjee, Anglia,
Randeria and other Durban leader entrained for
Johannesburg to test their domiciliary rights in
Transvaal. |
|
1908 |
August |
13 |
Petition to Transvaal Legislative Assembly
reiterating that proposed Bill violated
compromise. |
|
1908 |
August |
14 |
Gandhi wrote to General Smuts appealing to him
once more to respect compromise, accept his amendment
of TIRA or to meet Indian leaders with a view to a
settlement; failing that, certificates would be
burnt following Sunday. |
|
1908 |
|
|
Wrote to George Farrar, Leader of Opposition,
detailing his objections to validation Bill. |
|
1908 |
August |
16 |
Addressed mass meeting in Johannesburg which
resolved to oppose TARA; registration certificates
burnt. |
|
1908 |
August |
18 |
Went to Pretoria at General Smuts’ invitation
to meeting attended by Botha and Smuts and members
of Progressive Party-Government offered to alter
validation Bill saying specifically that TARA
would not apply to voluntary registrants and
minors. |
|
1908 |
August |
19 |
Gandhi visited Sorabji Shapurji in
prison. |
|
1908 |
August |
20 |
Meeting held to consider modified version,
proposed by Government, of validation Bill. |
|
1908 |
|
|
Gandhi wrote to Lane incorporating following
demands of meeting (1) repeal of TARA; (2) entry of
educated Indians under severe education test; (3)
release of prisoners and reinstatement of
Shapurji. The "letter of ultimatum" so called. |
|
1908 |
August |
21 |
In Transvaal Legislative Assembly, Asiatics’
Voluntary Registration Validation Bill withdrawn
on Select Committee’s recommendation. A new bill,
Asiatics’ Registration Amendment Bill, "which
contains [practically] everything we wanted" was
read. |
|
1908 |
|
|
Second reading of ARAB in Legislative Council
and third reading in Legislative Assembly. |
|
1908 |
|
|
Gandhi said in interviews to The Transvaal
Leader and The Star that new Bill fell short of
the terms proposed by Asiatics, and that passive
resistance, "a state of suffering", would be
resumed. |
|
1908 |
August |
22 |
Third reading of ARAB in Legislative
Council. |
|
1908 |
August |
23 |
Mass meeting in Johannesburg in which more
registration certificates were burnt, Mir Alam,
Gandhi’s assailant, and other Pathans admitted
their error and resolved "to fight to the end". In
his speech, Gandhi deprecated Sir Percy Fitzpatrick’s
hint that there might be racial conflict in
Colony. |
|
1908 |
August |
24 |
Chairman, BIA, wrote to Colonial Secretary
asking Government once more, "on the eve of a
fierce struggle", to give the relief sought by
Asiatics. |
|
1908 |
August |
27 |
Dawad, Mahomed and other Natal Indians leaders
arrested in Anjuman Islam Hall, Pretoria. |
|
1908 |
August |
28 |
Natal Indian leaders deported from Pretoria;
Gandhi along with others saw them off at railway
station. |
|
1908 |
August |
30 |
Addressed meeting of British Indians at Hamidia
Mosque. |
|
1908 |
September |
2:
|
Asiatics Registration Amendment Act published
in Government Gazetter. |
|
1908 |
September |
5:
|
Gandhi commended in Indian Opinion Col. Seely’s
statement in Parliament of July 31, that "those
who have a right to be in the Colonies should be
accorded equal rights with the whites and must be
accepted as full-fledged citizens. |
|
1908 |
|
|
Thambi Naidoo, Nadirsha Cama and others deposed
in affidavits that Transvaal authorities had definitely
promised repeal of Asiatic Registration Act before
Indian leaders decided to accept voluntary
registration. |
|
1908 |
September |
7 |
At BIA (British Indian Association) meeting,
Gandhi asked for financial provision, in view of his
suspension of legal practice, for defraying
Association’s office rent, Polak’s expenses and
Indian Opinion deficit. Left for Pretoria for
collection of funds. |
|
1908 |
September |
9 |
Cabled SABIC (South Africa British Indian
Committee) reporting 175 Indians imprisoned to date and
hoping Lord Ampthill and others would endeavor to
obtain relief. |
|
1908 |
|
|
Cabled SABIC (South Africa British Indian
Committee) reporting 175 Indians imprisoned to date and
hoping Lord Ampthill and others would endeavor to
obtain relief. |
|
1908 |
|
|
H.S.L. Polak and A.M. Andrews made affidavits
affirming that authorities had promised repeal of
Registration Act. |
|
1908 |
|
|
BIA took over Gandhi’s financial
responsibilities, his own needs being looked after by
Dr. Hermann Kallenbach. |
|
1908 |
September |
10 |
Gandhi spoke at Johannesburg mass meeting
Cachalia assumed BIA chairmanship. |
|
1908 |
September |
Before 12 |
Gandhi defended Randaree in Johannesburg
Court. |
|
1908 |
September |
13 |
Presided over meeting to compose differences
between Konkanis and Kanamias. |
|
1908 |
September |
14 |
Drew up petition to Secretary of State for
Colonies on behalf of Transvaal Pathans and Punjabis,
demanding repeal of Asiatic Act. |
|
1908 |
|
|
Drew up petition to Secretary of State for
Colonies on behalf of Transvaal Pathans and Punjabis,
demanding repeal of Asiatic Act. |
|
1908 |
September |
15 |
Gandhi in Pretoria Court defended Vally Bagas
and others charged with trading without grocers’
licences. |
|
1908 |
September |
16 |
Interviewed by Reuter, reiterated Indian demand
for legal equality. |
|
1908 |
|
|
Director of Prison informed BIA that Medical
Officer considered prisoners’ diet perfectly healthy
and could be changed only on medical
grounds. |
|
1908 |
September |
17 |
Gandhi wrote to The Star clarifying position
regarding education test and charging General Smuts
with breach of promise to repeal Registration
Act. |
|
1908 |
|
|
Harilal Gandhi deported from
Transvaal. |
|
1908 |
|
|
BIA informed Director of Prison that failure to
effect diet reform would be interpreted as intention to
starve Indian Community into submission to
Act. |
|
1908 |
September |
18 |
Sanction of Royal assent to new Asiatic Act
reported; also decision of SABIC authorizing Lord
Ampthill to represent grievances of Transvaal
Indians to imperial Government. |
|
1908 |
|
|
BIA protested against inclusion of animal fat
in Indian prisoners’ diet and demanded restoration of
ghee. |
|
1908 |
September |
19 |
Gandhi, along with Indians and Chinese leaders,
met Hosken and communicated terms for
settlement. |
|
1908 |
|
|
Writing in Indians Opinion, exhorted Natal
Indians to oppose Natal Government’s Bill to
restrict municipal authority for granting certain
kinds of licences. |
|
1908 |
|
|
BIA drew attention of Director of Prisons to
ill-treatment of Syed Ali in Boksburg Gaol and
demanded investigation. Lord Ampthill wrote to The
Times stating that Validation Act undid compromise
and subjected Indians again to indignities of
Registration Act. |
|
1908 |
|
|
BIA, Calcutta, cabled Secretary of State for
Colonies pleading for Imperial Government’s protection
to Transvaal Indians. |
|
1908 |
September |
21 |
BIA demanded from Colonial Secretary relief in
Syed Ali’s case; asked for prisoners’ diet
reform. |
|
1908 |
|
|
Harilal Gandhi and others released from
Volksrust Goal, cases against them being
withdrawn. |
|
1908 |
|
|
New Asiatic Act came into force. |
|
1908 |
September |
22 |
Natal Supreme Court ruled immigrants’ children
subject to penalties under Immigrants’ Restriction
Act, 1907. |
|
1908 |
|
|
Harilal Gandhi arrived in Johannesburg.
Regulations under new Act published. |
|
1908 |
September |
23 |
Smuts rejected Indian terms for settlement.
Director of Prisons denied ill-treatment of Syed
Ali. |
|
1908 |
September |
24 |
BIA forwarded Syed Ali’s affidavit to Director
of Prisons. Colonial Secretary expressed inability
to interfere with diet regulations in Transvaal
gaols. |
|
1908 |
September |
25 |
BIA wrote to Director of Prison demanding
uniform diet scale for Indian prisoners and substitution
of ghee for fat. |
|
1908 |
September |
26 |
Gandhi arrived in Durban, advised Natal leaders
to dissuade Indians entering Natal from giving
thumb-impressions; commended Natal’s part in Transvaal
campaign. |
|
1908 |
September |
28 |
BIA demanded from Colonial Secretary
information about diet scale for Indian
prisoners. |
|
1908 |
|
|
Polak repudiated Pretoria News charge that
British Indians had not fulfilled their part of
compromise. |
|
1908 |
September |
30 |
Gandhi, in interview to The Natal Mercury at
Durban, stressed that Indians did not want
unrestricted immigration of trade, but objected to
legislative discrimination. |
|
1908 |
|
|
BIA cabled SABIC regarding Indian arrests and
sentences under old Act and demanded its
repeal. |
|
1908 |
October |
2 |
Gandhi repaired draft memorandum for
Johannesburg clergymen about ill-treatment of
Indians. |
|
1908 |
|
|
NIC1 wired Colonial Secretary about Immigration
officer’s refusal to let Indian passengers disembark
at Durban; cabled SABIC about Komatipoort arrest
of Indians. |
|
1908 |
October |
3 |
Gandhi urged Natal Indians to agitate for
ending indenture system. |
|
1908 |
October |
5 |
Cabled SABIC about herding of 80 Indians in
small filthy room at Komatipoort. |
|
1908 |
October |
6 |
Left Durban for Transvaal. |
|
1908 |
October |
7 |
Arrested at Volksrust, along with fifteen other
Indians, for entering Transvaal without
registration certificates. |
|
1908 |
October |
8 |
Produced before Magistrate, refused to avail of
bail, remanded for a week. |
|
1908 |
October |
9 |
BIA wrote to Colonial Secretary, Pretoria,
demanding public inquiry into alleged ill-treatment of
Indians returning from Delagoa Bay. |
|
1908 |
October |
11 |
Drew up, in Volksrut Goal, petition to Resident
Magistrate about deficient diet-scale. |
|
1908 |
October |
12 |
Batch of Indians including minors deported from
Barberton to Portuguese territory. |
|
1908 |
|
|
National Convention met at Durban. |
|
1908 |
October |
13 |
Gandhi, in detention, sent message exhorting
Indians to face gaol-going for sake of
motherland. |
|
1908 |
October |
14 |
Defended Dawjee Amod and others before De
Villiers, Assistant Resident Magistrate. |
|
1908 |
|
|
Sent Message to Indian youth before
trial. |
|
1908 |
|
|
Sentenced to two months’ imprisonment with hard
labor. |
|
1908 |
|
|
On way to prison, sent message to Indians to
keep "absolutely firm to the end". |
|
1908 |
|
|
NIC meeting in Durban resolved to ask
Government to withdraw educational order. |
|
1908 |
October |
15 |
Gandhi reported at road-making work on Market
Square. Reuter’s Volkrust correspondent wrote,
"Mr. Gandhi expressed himself as being the
happiest man in the Transvaal." |
|
1908 |
October |
16 |
BIA, NIC in cable to Ritch resented Gandhi
being made to work on road-making. |
|
1908 |
|
|
London meeting, presided over by Sir Muncherjee
Bhownaggree and addressed, among others, by Lajpat Rai
and Bipin Chandra Pal, protested against Gandhi’s
imprisonment. |
|
1908 |
|
|
Kasturba thanked sympathizers who congratulated
her on Gandhi’s incarceration. |
|
1908 |
October |
Before 17: |
Sir Pherozeshah Mehta cabled Lord Ampthill:
"Public feeling in India was keenly hurt over
maltreatment of Indians in South Africa" and
invoked the British Government’s intervention to
save Indians suffering from such out range and
tyranny. |
|
1908 |
October |
17 |
Ritch forwarded to Colonial Office copies of
BIA, NIC cables. |
|
1908 |
October |
18 |
Mass meeting held at Hamidia Mosque,
Fordsburg. |
|
1908 |
October |
21 |
In reply to question in House of Lords by
Ampthill, Earl of Crewe stated he had wired Transvaal
for facts about Gandhi’s arrest and added that
Gandhi had been participating in "passive
resistance campaign, and paid the penalty". |
|
1908 |
October |
22 |
Viceroy of India conveyed to Indian Office
India resentment of treatment of passive resisters in
Transvaal, recommended considerateness and urged
concession of India demand for entry of six
educated India annually. |
|
1908 |
October |
25 |
Gandhi removed from Volksrust Goal to
Johannesburg in convict’s garb to testify in Daya Lala’s
case; refused offer of cab, and marched on foot
from Park Station to Fort, carrying prison
knapsack. |
|
1908 |
October |
27 |
Escorted from Johannesburg Goal to High
Court. |
|
1908 |
November |
28 |
Muslims telegraphed protest against General
Botha’s statement that many Mahomedans had declined to
join passive resistance movement. |
|
1908 |
|
|
BIA wrote to Attorney-General, Pretoria,
complaining of harsh treatment meted to Indian prisoners
in Johannesburg Gaol. |
|
1908 |
November |
29 |
Gandhi message from Volksrust Gaol, asking
Indians to remain steadfast in their pledge, read out
at Johannesburg mass meeting. |
|
1908 |
|
|
BIA meeting asked Government to grant Indian
demand, failing which struggle would continue. |
|
1908 |
November |
30 |
Gokhale, in address to New Reform Club, London,
referred to Indians’ sufferings in South Africa as one
of the causes for loss of faith in British
rule. |
|
1908 |
|
|
Col. Seely stated in Commons that, according to
his information, Gandhi had never performed hard labor
on public streets. |
|
1908 |
December |
1 |
BIA cabled SABIC. "Col. Seely is absolutely
misinformed as to Gandhi’s treatment. Forwarding
affidavits." |
|
1908 |
|
|
Volksrust Magistrate discharged Indian accused
of refusing identification, accepting Polak’s defense
that section 9 of Registration Act and regulations
relating thereto came into operation only then and
could not apply to registered Indians arrested
earlier. |
|
1908 |
|
|
Annie Besent sent Gandhi and colleagues, "a
message of hope, of consolation, of
friendship". |
|
1908 |
December |
10 |
Lord Selborne conveyed to General Botha
Imperial Government’s view that Transvaal Government
should extend considerate treatment to Indians
with prewar rights, admit limited number of
educated Indians and repeat Act 2 of 1907 and Act
36 of 1908, and at a later date enact strict
legislation of immigration. |
|
1908 |
December |
12 |
Gandhi released from Volksrust Goal.
Interviewed at Volksrust, on way to Johannesburg, about
ill-treatment in prison Spoke at Johannesburg
reception. |
|
1908 |
December |
13 |
HIS (Hamidia Islamic Society) held meeting to
honor Gandhi and Imam Abdool Kadir Bawazeer. |
|
1908 |
December |
14 |
Gandhi addressed meeting of Tamil community at
Johannesburg; later, entertained at dinner by Tamil
Benefit Society. |
|
1908 |
December |
15 |
General Botha communicated to Lord Selborne
Government’s inability to revise policy. |
|
1908 |
|
|
Transvaal Colonial Secretary, in reply to
Transvaal Governor, denied promise of repeal of Act 2 of
1907. |
|
1908 |
December |
18 |
Gandhi defended Naidoo and other Indian pickets
at Johannesburg. |
|
1908 |
|
|
Spoke at meeting of representative European of
Transvaal. |
|
1908 |
December |
21 |
Ritch forwarded to Colonial Office copies of
affidavits regarding Gandhi’s hard labor in
prison. |
|
1908 |
December |
23 |
Gandhi presented Nelson, Volksrust Prison
Officer, Tolstoy’s Kingdom of God is Within
you. |
|
1908 |
December |
24 |
Appeal in Transvaal Asiatic Test Case dismissed
in Pretoria Court for lack of jurisdiction. |
|
1908 |
December |
26 |
Gandhi reached Durban; given rousing reception;
left for Phoenix to meet Kasturba who was ill. |
|
1908 |
December |
28 |
In letter to Maganlal Gandhi, stressed need to
strive for spiritual growth, which would ensure advance
of religion and country. |
|
1908 |
December |
30 |
Harilal Gandhi and Randeria arrested at
Johannesburg as prohibited immigrants and remanded till
January 5. |
|
1908 |
|
|
Pretoria News pleaded for conceding Indian
demands, admitting the "persistency and unfailing good
temper with which Mr.Gandhi and his compatriots
are pursuing their campaign for what they consider
to be their rights". |
|
1908 |
|
|
Eight Madrasis, entitled to settle in Transvaal
but refused registration, deported for entering
Transvaal. |
|
1908 |
|
|
Thambai Naidoo and others sentenced to fine of
£ 50 or jail with hard labor for three months. Polak,
who defended, filed appeal. Natal Government
reissued earlier notice banning higher education
for Indian children about 14 years. Question raised in
Commons. |
|
1908 |
December |
Before 31 |
Five more men arrested and dealt with under Act
36 of 1908. Amod Mia and his brother fined £ 25, for
trading without licences, in Rustenburg. |
|
1908 |
|
|
Indian National Congress, in resolution on
South Africa, considered harsh, humiliating and cruel
treatment of British Indians as injurious to
British
Empire. |
