No. 14
Whereas practically every shop and business establishment in the area under my command has been closed in accordance with the hartal or organized closure of business directed against his Majesty’s Government.
And whereas the continuance or resumption of such hartal is detrimental to the good order and governance of the said area.
And whereas I deem it expedient to cause the said hartal to entirely cease:
Now therefore by virtue of the powers vested in me by martial law I make the following order, namely:—
By 10·00 hours (10 A.M.) tomorrow (Friday), the 18th day of April, 1919, every shop and business establishment (except only langare referred to in martial law notice No. 5, dated 15th April, 1919) in the area under my command, shall open and carry on its business and thereafter daily shall continue to keep open and carry on its business during the usual hours up to 20·00 hours (8 P.M.) in exactly the same manner as before the creation of the said hartal.
And likewise I order that every skilled or other worker will from 10·30 hours (10.30 A.M.) tomorrow, resume and continue during the usual hours his ordinary trade, work or calling.
And I warn all concerned that if at 10·00 hours (10 A.M.) tomorrow, or at any subsequent time I find this order has been without good and valid reason disobeyed, the persons concerned will be arrested and tried under the summary procedure of martial law, and shops so closed will be opened and kept open by force, any resultant loss arising from such forcible opening will rest on the owners and on occupiers concerned.
And I further warn all concerned that this order must be strictly obeyed in spirit as well as in letter, that is to say, that to open a shop and then refuse to sell goods and to charge an exorbitant or prohibitive rate, will be deemed a contravention of this order.
[Note: Shops had evidently remained closed for seven days.]