The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-05-01
The Dutch and the Achinese.

For more than twenty years tho Dutch
have waGed a desultory war with the Achi-
nese. They have just won a victory over
their persistent enemy: but they have won
many victories before. and to-day they are
apparently no nearer the end they seek
than they were years ago. They are aim
ing to subdue the natives. who are deter
mined to maintain their independence.
The Achinese occupy the extreme north
ern part Of Sumatra. They are a branch of
the Malay family. Living among noun
tains and highlands. they breathe u freer.
better air than most other natives of the
tropical island. They are brave and war
like. and have never been brought under
the yoke Of a foreign power. They say they
never will be.
The meagre details OF the last fight. sent
from Singapore IN April 7. do not indicate
hat the Dutch arc any nearer the end Of
their troubles. They report. to be sure,
that they killed sixty-three Of the enemy,
captured eight forts, seven cannon. and a
quantity Of arms. But they have captured
forts before. only to find when next they
went into the interior that the s%trongholds
of the enemy had multiplied; and. In spite
OF the war ships that continually blockade
the coast. the Achinese never seem to nave
any difficulty in renewing their supplies Of
firearms and powder.
Here is the situation that for years has
been maintained almost unchanged. The
Dutch claim the country. embracing about
5000 square miles. AS q matter OF fact,
they control only about ITO square miles.
They hold the coast fringe on the northeast,
- L. % AL
The mountains that bound this low. UNI
healthy coast strip mark the limit of Dutch
authority. Along the coast the Dutch
maintain a few little stations presenting
this anomaly. No Notifications front the
sea. but all lie between tho stations and the
mountains. Onlyinland enemies are feared.
None OF these stations Is Of much impor-
lance. except Atjeh Olehleh. at the north ond
OF the island. and the big fort Of Kota Rad
jah just behind it.
From this contested territory the Neither
lands derive not q dollar of revenue There
Is not the slightest trace OF trade or com
merco. The only ships that regularly visit
these outposts are the vessels OF the Dutch
Mail line and two little Chinese steamers
which ply between Pinang and the gar
risons. Meat. poultry. bread. rice, every
thing required to support life. is supplied
by these steamers. The swampy. malarial
lowlands in the hands OF the Dutch, with
their background OF mountains. display
the most brilliant aspects of tropical YER
dure: but no food whatever is raised there.
The fertile and mountainous interior Is in
the hands of the enemy. A few Dutch
traders live at the posts merely to supply
the wants OF the garrisons. 1t is all outgo
anG no income for the Netherlands; and
guarding tho coast line are more war ships
than are to be found In any other part of
the world along the same extent OF sea
front. Big sailing vessels carrying as much
as 4.5OO tons OF coal ut a load from Cardiff
replenish the bunkers Of the war ships.
1t Is nothing but national pride that keeps
the Dutch from scuttling out OF Achin. The
public sentiment in the Netherlands is
strongly against a surrender Of its claims
in north Sumatra. Millions of treasure
have been spent To uphold the nj tlonal
honor. But Achin has been and is likely to