The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-06-12

After Twenty Years OF Struggle the Coun.
try IL SIN n Military Camp.

try IL SIN a Military Camp.
For twenty years the war between Hol-
land and Acheen has dragged along and
no one knows when it will ever end The last
Dutch colonial report tells of the present con-
dition or this troubled country in northern
Sumatra. Fighting is still going on in n des-
ultory way. though tho agsressveness Of the
Acheens has lost much Of its old force largely
because tho natives are finding 1t difficult to
procure the means OF subsistence. Their
operations are now confined chiefly to tho
destruction OF telegraph wires and means Of
communication. The Dutch troops are better
able than formerly to prevent sudden assaults
and surprises. because they have succeeded.
after fighting hard for it. in clearing the srace
in front OF their lines. The attacks on bag
gage trains are also less numerous THAI for
mery. Tho Dutch however. find it prudent
not to make incursions into tho enemy's coun-
try The Acheens try to do q little work In the
line Of piracy now and then. but tho blockade
which the Dutch still maintain along the coast
This long war in Acheen Ia perhaps the most
remarkable struggle ever waged by "a European
Dutch IRE among tho best coionizers in the
world: They set an example to other nations.
They have proved thar they can luke \, savage
prise. Hollands possessions in the East In
iiity tines as large as that Of Holland hors"f.
and in ali the islands where her enterprises
have been carried on she has mot with deter
mined and uncomfortable opposition only E
the northern part Of Sumatra. where tho
Acheens never know when they are beaten
was founded in tho thirteenth century. 1t
covered half tho big island. and its suitans
claimed descent from Alexander the Great
Now, its people are cooped un in the extreme
pa5t Of the sl.9d @HtthouGh they are
1t is probable that the independent life Of
the rommunrs. into which tho doughty little
country is divided. explains the marvellous
energy with which the natives defend their
Independence against foreigners. Each com
all matters Of local interest the villagers gov
crn themselves. Tho men of n certain al-
vanced age are the law making body. Each
commune has two hereditary chlofs who rulo
together. and thew with the chiefs Of tho other
cnmmunes. form the council Of tho nation In
all matters OF national Importance REPRESENT
ativos Of the communcs help tho Sultan to
govern, but in all local affairs each little sub
division governs itself.
Holland has spent an immense treasure and
in this long war upon the Acheens She has
succeeded only in driving most of tho Acheens
into the interior, and now tho Dutch are in
sole control OF a lnrge part OF tho coast. But
tho people In the inter Tor are practically as in
dependent MS they ever were. and show no
signs that they will ever rtlin1uish thor right
to govern themselves.
Great Britain can look on with tho comfort
ing thought that she malN Il very good bar
gain when .shc traded with Holland. and for
Sumatra. and left 10 Holland all the trouble
and expense which twenty years Of perpetual
and ineffective skirmishng have given her