'File 61/13 I (D 133) Wahabis and Pilgrimage to Hedjaz' [‎123v] (258/431)

157. Information from the same source as that indicated in paragraph 151
shows the following numbers of Indian pilgrims as ha\ing left foi ports other
than Indian :
Suez
Port Sudan
Beirut ...
Massawah
Aden ...
Africa
16
25
82
3
92
57
275
j®# 1
158. The following is a statement of the number of pilgrims who purchased
single and return tickets
in India or
deposited the
amount of
the return
passage :—
Port.
Single.
52
Return.
Deposit.
Total.
Bombay
5,707
5,759
Karachi
1
6.372
84
6,457
Calcutta
16
347
21
384
69
12,426
105
12,600
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was
It is gratifying to note the very great reduction in the number of single
tickets issued this year, specially at Karachi, where no less than 760 were issued
in 1931. The restrictive policy adopted by the authorities in India this year
undoubtedly did much to keep the number of destitutes to be repatriated within
what may be considered reasonable limits, having regard to the increased cost of
the pilgrimage and the large numbers of poor people attracted by the Friday Haj.
Return of Pilgrims to India: General.
159. No Indian pilgrims holding return tickets were detained beyond the
regulation period of twenty-five days, but the limit was only just observed in
the case of about 243 pilgrims, who were detained in Jedda for twenty-four
days, prior to embarkation in the steamship " Alavi," which sailed on the
22nd June. This was the only case, apart, of course, from the usual destitutes,
in which the Legation was seriously troubled with applications for relief and
assistance.
160. Some anxiety was caused in the third week in April by a report that
Messrs. Turner, Morrison and Co. proposed to charter to the Khedivial Line,
for the transport of Egyptian pilgrims, the steamship "Jehangir," which was
at that time the only Mogul ship in port. The facts were not very clear,
and the arrangement, if contemplated, was abandoned either before or after
Mr. Hope Gill had written a letter to the Mogul agents on the 25th April
drawing attention to the large number of Indian pilgrims who were awaiting
embarkation. It is suggested that the Government of India should consider
the best means of guarding against the diversion of Indian pilgrim ships until
the bulk of the returning pilgrims have been disposed of. The Indian vice-
consul suggests that it should be prohibited by legislation. His Majestys
Minister doubts whether so drastic a remedy is feasible or necessary.
161. Difficulties again arose this year over the shortage of first and second-
class accommodation in returning ships for the ever-increasing number of
better-class pilgrims (see paragraphs 130 and 134 of last year's report). No
less than sixty-two persons preferred to travel home as deck passengers rather
than wait. Certain others availed themselves of other means of getting back
to India, in spite of their having return tickets by the Mogul Line. Thus two
parties of nineteen and thirty-four respectively booked fresh passages by German
ships, a party of twenty-two proceeded via Port Sudan and about forty -two
persons by way of Aden.
162. The Government of India have concurred in the view of the Legation
that it would be difficult, in view of the arrangements at present in force for
ookmg return passages in strict rotation, and for other reasons, to allow first
and second-class pilgrims to book their passages by letter or telegram from
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