On Monday Lord Crewe received a deputation from the All-Indian
South African League, which appealed to the Government to intervene in South Africa on behalf of the Indians. Sir M. Bhownaggree said that things were ten times worse than in the time of the Boers, and that nothing short of the removal of all disabilities would satisfy Indian feeling. He pointed out that when self-government was granted to South Africa a veto of the Crown was distinctly reserved in regard to legislation affecting Indians. Lord Crewe admitted the need for an inquiry in South Africa into the whole question. As to the nature of the inquiry, his words were noticeably vague: "I believe that the Government there will agree that if South African repute and the solidarity of the Empire are sustained by instituting a form of inquiry which is not solely official, no sentiment either of national or of personal amour propre ought to stand in the way of such an investigation." We agree with Lord Crewe that an appeal on Imperial grounds to the Imperialist Government of South Africa is the true line of approach towards a solution.
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