by

dr. john clifford, m.a., ll.b.

i have read the following account of the importation of chinese coolies into south africa with the keenest pain and sorrow. it is an authentic story of one of the foulest tragedies in our british annals; the witness of one who has seen the facts for himself.

it is an indictment packed with sifted evidence, written with knowledge; but also with the indignation of the patriot and of the humanitarian, against wrongs wantonly inflicted upon our fellow-men and sanctioned by the parliament of the empire. the "balance of evil" is overwhelmingly proved. it is an economic blunder. it is another blood-stained page in the history of[pg viii] the inhumanity of man to man. it violates the domestic and the social ideals. it is a blight upon our empire; and, chiefest of all, it is inevitably and overwhelmingly immoral; productive of vices and crimes that cannot be named without shame and wrath.

and yet these foreigners who sell men for gold are declaring that this system must remain "undisturbed." never! it must go. it is building the empire on the blood of souls. it is not a "necessity." it is a wanton iniquity. it is not "freedom"; and it is shuffling of the meanest kind to say that it is not "slavery." let britishers realize their responsibility and bring to a speedy and final end this return to barbarism!

john clifford.

the publishers beg to thank the editor of the 'morning leader' for permission to use the illustrations contained in this volume.