The Thames Star. Resurrexi. THURSDAY, AUGUST 10, 1905. THE DUTCH EAST INDIES.

Thames Star, Volume XLII, Issue 10682, 10 August 1905, Page 2

The Thames Star. Resurrexi. THURSDAY, AUGUST 10, 1905. THE DUTCH EAST INDIES.

Of late several cables have been published referring to the present unsatisfactory, not to say dangerous, state of things existing in the Dutch East Indies, and it would appear that j the Dutch have just about as much on hand as they are capable of dealing with. As several ex-Thames residents are now settled in the East Indies, -and as from other parts of New Zea» land colonials have- proceeded to Sumatra, to take up more or less important positions, the' present, position will be reviewed with interest.. The war1 in the Achin country, which has been going on for thirty two years, has been the only one to bo officially recognised, but for some time fighting has been going on in the Celebes, the latest development of which, as recent cables detailed, was, an important. Dutch, victory, and afso in the southern; portion of Sumar tra, and in Borneo. The Dutch colonies are generally considered to be vitally important to the Netherlands, but a, Dutch lady, writing in a, Paris newspaper, takes the contrary view, and thinks that some day the natives may gaini the upper hand. TEe Achin ' country, in the north of Sumatra, was handed over to Holland by England in exchange for other territory, and iti is alleged that the English knew well that, the Dutch would never be able to conquer the natives1. The wai* commenced so> soon as> the land was transferred, and has continued ever since-. The Dutch have claimed numerous victories, but we are told that "for all practical purposes the oountry is in; the same state of rebellion to-day that it was a,t first." The Dutch Government, in order to justify the enormous, expenses of the war, accuse tile Achinese of various crimes, including piracy, which havenever been proved. The natives, are led by a mysterious person of the Mahdi type, who has never been seen, and who is, in the eyes of the natives, a god who condescends: to pass a little Arhile on this> earfh before going to his celestial kingdom, his followers believing that he will eventually obtain possession of the land inhabited by the Dutch, and , reduce the latter to the condition of slaves. The Dutch armies (for. the most part composed of deported criminals) have succeeded, from time to time, in burning native villages and killing women and children (one commander was responsible for the deaths of over 1000), but the end has invariably been the same; the natives have led the troops off on false scents, and have finally escaped with their "god" at the head of their column. There were fierce debates in tho Dutch House of Representatives last year on the' action of the' Government in allowing ths troops, to massacre native women and children in the campaign of that year. This_year it has been rumored that Japan" has designs on the Dutch East Indies, and many Dutchmen recommend an offensive and defensive alliance with Germany for the protection of the colonies. Letters recently received at Thames bear out this latter contention) and it is stated that already negotiations are in train for the purpose of bringing- about such an alliance. If such a combination, were effected it i» evident even, to us in far off New Zealand that British interests would be prejudicially effected.