. Ultimately the Transvaal Government gave the two specific assurances
required by the Home Government,—that there was no intention of refusing access as visitors to ruling Chiefs, distinguished Asiatics, &c., and that legislation would be introduced limiting the powers of expulsion conferred on the Executive. Mr. Morley and Sir Edward Grey expressed their satisfaction that the chief points in their criticism had been met. The Blue-book only confirms the opinion we have already expressed, that the Government could not have gone so far as to disallow the new laws. We very much regret their introduction, but we do not see that the British Govern- ment could have done more than advise the utmost indulgence in their application. Happily this advice is having its effect on the registration question. Reuter telegrams state that all Indians legally entitled to register will be given an oppor- tunity of doing so in the next three months, all penalties meanwhile being withheld. The signatures of Indians of position or education may be accepted instead of finger-prints, and no information is to be demanded that offends religious susceptibilities. The leaders of the Asiatics, it is said, under- take to use their influence to make voluntary registration general.
