Chapter 58 Chapter 2 The Storm

We have already said that the two ships dropped anchor in the port of Durban on or about the 18th of December.Passengers can only disembark at any port in South Africa after a thorough sanitary inspection.If any passenger on board had an infectious disease, it had to be quarantined for a period of time.There was plague in Bombay when we set out, so we were afraid we would be subject to a short quarantine.Before the inspection, every boat had to hoist a yellow flag, and the flag could not be lowered until it was certified as healthy by a doctor's examination.Only when the yellow flag comes, relatives and friends of the passengers can board the ship to greet them.

When the doctor came up to examine us, the yellow flag was hoisted on board as usual.He ordered our ship to be quarantined for five days, because, in his opinion, the plague germs can live up to twenty-three days.Our ship was therefore ordered to be quarantined until twenty-three days had elapsed since our departure from Bombay.However, apart from hygiene reasons, this quarantine order has other considerations. The white people in Durban were moved there when they heard that we were back, and one of the reasons for this order was out of this commotion.The Dada Abdullah Company kept us informed of what was happening in the city every day.The white race held daily conventions, threatened and intimidated, and sometimes even lured the Dada Abdullah Company.They are prepared to compensate the company for losses if the two ships are sent back to India.Yet Dada Abdullah & Co. is not one to fear intimidation.Abdul Kalim Hazi al-Dansay, who was the shareholder-manager of the firm at the time, was determined to dock the two ships at any cost and disembark all the passengers.He wrote every day to tell me the details.Fortunately the late Mr. Mansuklar Naza was in Durban at the time and he came there on purpose to meet me.A man of ability and fearlessness, he directed the Indian diaspora.Their lawyer, Mr. Lawton, was equally fearless.He condemned the behavior of the local white people, not only like a hired lawyer, but also like a true friend to help the overseas Chinese group.

Durban thus became the scene of an unequal duel.On one side there are a few poor Indians and their few English friends, on the other there are countless white people who are much better armed, numerically, educated and rich than the Indians.They also have state support, as the Natalian government openly helps them.The most powerful member of the Cabinet, Mr. Harry Escambe, attended their meetings openly. So the real purpose of this quarantine is to force passengers to return to India by intimidating passengers or agency companies.Because at this time, we also started to threaten us: "If you don't go back, you will definitely be thrown into the sea, but if you are willing to go back, you can get back the travel expenses." I kept walking among the passengers on the same boat to cheer them up .I also sent condolence letters to the passengers on board the "Nardelli".

They all remained calm and courageous.We arrange various games on board to keep passengers entertained.On Christmas Day, the captain entertained the first-class passengers, and my family and I were also the main guests.In my post-dinner speech I talked about Western civilization.I know this is not the occasion for a serious speech, but otherwise I have nothing to say.I rejoice with them too, but my heart sinks in the battle of Durban, for I am the real target.There are two reasons against me: 1. When I was in India, I wantonly condemned the white people in Natal; 2. In order to crowd Natal, I deliberately brought two boats of Indians here to settle.I realize my responsibility.I know that Dada Abdullah Company is taking serious risks for my sake, the lives of the passengers are in danger, and I have brought the family and put them in danger as well.However, I was definitely wronged.I have not induced anyone to go to Natal.I didn't know the passengers when they got on the ship.Except for a couple who were relatives, I did not know the names and addresses of any of the hundreds of passengers on board.Nor did I say a single word about the white people in Natal when I was in India that I hadn't said in Natal.And what I said is backed by countless facts.Therefore I cannot fail to deplore the civilization embodied in the Natal white race, the civilization which they represent and uphold.The idea of ​​this kind of civilization has always been in my heart, so I will talk about it at this small banquet.The captain and other friends listened to my speech patiently and accepted the basic spirit of my speech.I don't know what effect this remark had on their lives, but afterwards I had a long talk with the captain and other officials about Western civilization.In my speech I described Western civilization as primarily based on force, which is quite different from Eastern civilization.My conviction was strengthened by the people who asked the question, and one of them, the captain, I think, said to me: "If those white people really turn their threats into reality, how can your principle of non-violence stand up?" Can you live?"

I replied, "I hope God will give me the courage and reason to forgive them and not bring the law against them. I am not angry with them, they are so ignorant and narrow-minded, only pity me. I know they sincerely believe What they did today was correct and appropriate, so I have no reason to be angry with them." The person who asked the question smiled, probably in disapproval.The days dragged on like this.When the quarantine period will expire, no one knows.The officer enforcing the quarantine said the matter was beyond his remit, and he said he would allow us to disembark if the government ordered it to.

The ultimatum was finally sent to the passenger and me.They say if we want to escape, we have to submit.The passengers and I replied that we had the right to land at the port of Natal and hinted at our determination to enter Natal at any cost. On the day when the twenty-three days expired, the two ships were admitted to port, and the order to disembark the passengers was given.