72 



" What occurred outside Colombo was largely the result of 

 unfounded rumours, each party believing that the opposite party 

 was marching on them to exterminate them. 



"As we have already stated in a previous issue, the supreme 

 necessity of the moment is tact in dealing with a very serious 

 situation. What has occurred up to now is nothing but law- 

 lessness, pure and simple, without any political significance 

 whatever, and no thinking man but deplores the unexpected 

 outbreak and its possible consequences. 



" A searching enquiry into what has taken place is the 

 most welcome thing that can happen in the view of the more 

 sensible portion of the population. 



;< Pending the result of the enquiry, which we hope will be 

 conducted in a calm and judicial temper, we earnestly hope 

 no insinuations will be made by the Press, and we can rely upon 

 His Excellency to do plain justice in a matter which may largely 

 influence the future of the permanent population of the country." 





