The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-05-16


Dutch
REpoRrER-Do yen think the Dutch VIII conquer
Acheen2
Captain MoRENO-I think IT'S very doubtful. The
obstacles which the Dutch troops Will have TO sur
mount are enormous There are impenetrable
ungles and swamps that are alive with agators,
and 40 high tide the water in those districts near
the seashore ten feet high. But, high tide no
high tide, you always wade there kneedeep IN
mud. Then the Dutch will also suffer from dysen-
terry and
FROM TERRIBLE suNsTROKEs
not much from fever.
REPoRTER-What is the numerical strength OF the
Dutch troops
Captain MoRENO-0h, probably not over 1000 or
5000 men. II they get natives they might bring
their number up to 10000. l do not think that
they can hold Acheen. They may take it, but
don't think they can hold 1t and besides, it would
not pay them to hold it. The great difficulty is that
the Dutch cannot bring their gunooats to Acheen,
and you cannot successfully fight one OF those ma
tions without gunboats. This Sultan Sri has the
moral support, the sympathies, OF the whole Mo-
hsmmedan race. Then there is another important
point. From March till October the Dutch win not
be able 10 operate on the west coast on account
or the terrific monsoons OF the Southwest.
REPoRTER-The Sultan, OF course, does not believe
that he can be vanguished
Captain MoRRNO-0h, no; he thinks he is invinci-
BILE. He determined to expel the Dutch as early
as 1852 when many Of the chiefs Of the Mussuman
faith left East India after tie war Of the rebellion
and went
AS POLITICAL REFUGEES TO AcHEEN,
which was regarded as kind OF politi-
cal Mecca. l. coming from the Indian rebel.
lion in 1859, was received with great con-
slderation, and the sultan entrusted me
xuith tn
was to propose TO the Italian government that it
should take possession OF the districts between
Achecn and the Dutch Doundaries-where the prin-
cipal pepper plantations are-and use its influence
to prevent the Dutch from encroaching any further
on the Acheenese possessions. AZ the Sultan and
his counse0rs all knew that the Dutch intended to
conquer the whole island, this plan seemed to be
the best that could be adopted. The Sultan showed
me at that time important letters from various Eu-
ropcan governments among them one OF Louis
Philippe and one Of Napoleon ILL.,, in which both
sovereigns positively declined to give him any aid.
REPORrER-I believe you have already states that
Acheen Is a fortified city9
Captain MORENo-Yes sir. The walls, which are
three yards Deep and the rampant, which is about
five yards deep, were constructed during the reign
of Sultan Makmoud Of Turkey, who sent officers
to Acheen who did this work. The guns that are
planted on the walls are large, but they
ARE NOW IN DEPLORABLE CONDITION.
Acheen you know, is the left bank OF the Acheen
River, which runs from southeast to northwest,
and flows into the sea at point about twenty
miles below the capital. just in front Of Pulo Way.
REPoRTER-ls the river navigable ?
Captain MoRENo-Only by small Malays boats.
The of the Acheen River is at the foot OF the
liam Gebel tBack Mountain), fifteen miles south
east of Acheen city. l may add, in regard to the
n m IL no gtr nd
largest in the Island OF Sumatra. All the Rajahs
OF the Malays race residing In the nelghboring
Islands, as well as those on the peninsula
Of Malacca, entertain this opinion. Prior
to the English and Dutch conquests OF
Palumban, Bancoeem Padang and Puo Mas the
kingdom OF Acheen extended from I've degrees
north to five degrees south, from Pulo Way in the
northwest to the Straights OF SOunda, in the
southeast. In the east it extended to the seacoast,
toward the Straits Of Malacca and to the kingdom
OF the Delhi Malays In the interior it extended to
the Orang- Orang Battax, Inhabitants OF the noun
tains,
PROCESSING THE BUDDHIST FAITH.
They are the descendants OF Burmese tribe, who
came from the Malay Peninsula when the King Of
Siam and the Emperor Of Burmah were at war.
REPORTER-Tnis tribe settled In the interior OF
SumatraY
Captain MoRENo-Yes, sir, and ever since there
has been a perpetual religious war between the
Malays, who profess Islamism, and this new tribe,
whs profess Buddhism. They never held any
friendly intercourse. The Burmese are peaceful
enough but the Malays are too beligerent. The
inhabitants OF Acheen are, like all those ma
tons, bitter enemies OF all who do not profess
Isamism.
REPORTER-How Is the government administered
Captain MoRENO-The State is divided into six
proviuces-Acheen, Barrett, Analaboo, Pedir, Potoo,
Samalanka. Each capital is on the bank OF
little river. Each province Is governed by Raah,
but all OF them recognize the Sultan OF Acheen as
their supreme ruler.
REPoRrER-Could you describe the palace Of the
Sultan2
Captain MoRENo-The palace Bagnaa Roomah,
where the Sultan resides is built Of bamboo 1t is
two stories HIGH and contains about ten large
rooms The floors are
COVERED WITH CLEAN AND HANDSOME MATS,
made by the natives themselves of wild "vegeta-
BILE" silk. The roofs covered with straw from the
rice. Around the large palace are twenty-five
smaller palaces, which are occupied by his wives,
his sons and the members OF the government. The
Sultan has frequently told me his palace was the
most magnificent thing OF the kind in the world.
He asked me once II any king had palace that was
as handsome his. / told him readily that his
1.-THE sultan's) palace would be used by any OF my
countrymen fer the chickens TO roost in.
REPoRTER-ls the Sultan the chief OF the Church
as we'll as OF the State2
Captain MoRENO-Yes, sir. His Ministry Is com.
posed Of a visir, Mohamet Shaa Toncoo Of Marras.
Under him are three ministers, Sheik Abduah
Toncoo OF Compound Java, Sultan Shaa Shawan-
dar Of Acheen, and Ackmet Shaa LADY Toncoo OF
Pedir. BY the way, in regard to the Acheenese
army, may add that the Sidbuys are brave and
good soldiers. An order given to them by Mus
sulman chief
THEY LOOK UPON As SACRED
just as though the Prophet Mohammed him.
self had given It.. They will serve az q
nucleus for the Acheenese army which will have to
be organized. The number OF the sidibuys while
I was there was about four hundred. In case OF