The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1896-01-02
For the Reporter:
"From The Orient"

How many of our readers know where
the Sultanate of Johore Is II You will
take your Biographies aud turn 70 the
map Of Asia, YOU will find that 1t Is at
the extreme soufherhmost end of the
mainland of that continent. at The very
tip of the Malay Peninsula that stretches
! ike a giant finger down into the tropics.
It lies only about one hundred miles
north Of the Equator, aud with the eX-
eepfion Of siam, Is the only Independent
kingdom remaining in Southern Asia.
II i only of late years that it has as
sumed sufficient importance to COM
maud public notice, other than as little
insignificant jungle state.
In 1919, when Sir. Stamford Rallies,
purchased the island Of Singapore from
the father Of the late Sultan, it was a
/ seni-barbarous state whose royal palace
/ WAS palm-thatched bungalow. sur
rounded by lot Of squalid huts, the
country an uneultiYated Jungle. while
/ the inhabitants were pirates and fisher
men by turns.
The old straits of Tibran, which separ-
ate the island Of Singapore from Jnhore,
were infested by a llaet of swift piratical
praus, manned by "Orang Laut' or
"men of the SEA Who with cruel snake
| like kris menae,d the yenturesome
| traders who dared pass that way. and
darling from their mangrove hidden
lairs. they would board their unwary
victims aud rob and kill aud plumber,
aud a common sight in the streets of
| Singapore today, is man with both
hands cut off. who years ago fell a
victim to their cruelty, and within the
last decade, several pirates have been ex-
ecuted for their crimes.
But the attap rooted bungalow of 1910,
has given place TO palatal residence,
which will compare iavorably with
many another royal palace, With rich
European furnishings, carpets, statuary
and valuable paintings, the Jungle is now
transformed into plantations of pepper,
gambler, tea and coffee while the large
steam saw mills, inaugnrated by Dato
James Meldrum, a sturdy old Scotch
man. who came to Johore in the early
days of her commercial prosperity, give
an air of business and activity. Willie the
macadamzed roads, iron bridges aud
substantial buildings indicate wonder
tul change from the old primitive forest
path, elephant tracks and rude bridges.
The province Of Johore contains now,
some 100 square miles with popula-
ton OF between two hundred and fifty
and three hundred thousand souls.
IOhore Bahur, Is the capital aud only
/ town Of importance, and i half Malay
aud hall Chinese in archif sctnrr with
! = l. /
/ Buddhist temple.
His IIighHess Tunku Ahubakar bin
! Ibrahm. &. 1. NJ. &. X. {. :. l.. late
| Sultan Of Iohore. was 4 grlndson Of one
Of the Malay princes Who coded the
island of SINGAPORE. to Sir. Stamford
/ Rallies in ISIS and VAS conceded by all
who knew him 10 be an Intelligent, and
! in many WHY'S, "A progressive ruler.
though his life WAS not always in ac-
cordance with western idea- of rectitude.
lie was head and shoulders above the
Malay princes of his time. and The most
enlightened and advanced of his race.
aud his fule was marked by period of
prosperity and growth. which places
him in the front rank of Malay rulers.
The Sultan's health had been failing
for some months and about five months
ago, he decided to go to England for
medical treatment. But contrary to ex-
pectations, his health did not improve
and soon the news came that he was no
more. His romans were embalmed and
with royal honors were brought back,
and finally, on the 9TH of Sept, inferred
with appropriate ceremonies in the ROYAL
tomb After his death the customary
one hundred DAYS of mourning were Oh
served during which every true MALAY
wore the appropriate white mourning
band upon his cap; both old and Young
being strictly scrupulous in regard to
this, and it was Il common sight during
that time 10 see little children from two
to six years old PLAYING in the streets
with White band around their cans and
no other vestign of clothing on their per-
sons.
II was our privilege to attend the fnne-
raj and as .Johore il distant about four
teen miles from sinoapore. we made an