The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-10-03

ages their prestige all through Sumatra
ana Java, and this is one reason why they
nave been willing to devote so much at
tention TO a region which is worthless TO
them, producing nothing whatever that is
OF value. With all their efforts, they now
hold only very small part of the PROV
lnce-that IS TO say. the extreme northern
zip of Sumatra, embracing only a few
square miles. Across this tip of land they
nave built IA string of little forts to the
south of which all the country is In the
possession of the pirates. They have TO
Keep a mighty sharp lookout, too, lest
these forts be gobbled up by the en-
terprising natives. All the forts are con-
nected by a railway and by telegraph
with the town of Kota Radja to the
north, which is probably the most curl
ously fortified place in the world. 1t is a
city of soldiers barracks, with officers
residences in the middle, the whole being
surrounded by fence of iron pickets
twelve feet high. Inside of the fence is a
stone wall
The city can only be approached by the
savages from the SOUTH inasmuch as they
have no vessels, and from that direction
they must pass the line of forts, which
are fourteen in number. Each fort is sur
rounded by tall wooden palings Outside
OF the palings are two barbed-wire fences
ten feet high, The fences are only four
inches apart and the barbs are closely set
Outside of this is queer sort of barrier
Of wire net twenty feet in width, and not
very high, but so intricate that to go
through it is practically out of the ques-
ton. Outside of this barrier again is q
hedge of the plants known as Spanish
bayonets set as thick as possible and
thirty feet wide THIS is considered inn
passable by the natives, who can neither
scale OF ibTO1Iph II A
way, closely guarded. gives access 10 the
fort. If one of the forts Is attacked, or
threatened, notice is at once sent by tele-
graph to Kota Radia, and achievements
are dispatched by the railroad from the
city.
Sumatra is one of the largest islands in
the world, and has a population of 5000, eco.
Respecting some of the tribes in the in
terror, hardly anything is known, mas
much as the island has been crossed by
white men only two or three times. The
immediate neighbors of the Acheenese
are the Battaks. most interesting race
of cannibals, who are quite civilized in
their way, having a written language of
their own. They know how to make fire
arms even boring their own gun barrels.
Also, they carve gun stocks in correct
style, and are acquainted with the art of
making powder. They find their own sui
phur and saltpeter, using pieces of bam-
boo for cartridge cases and bits of coral
for bullets. They are excellent agricul-
turists, and raise cattle. In addition, they
are clever gold and sllversmiths, making
fligree work, and weaving gold thread.
The Battaks only eat prisoners W war
or bad criminals. Formerly the habit of
cannibalism among them was more uni
versal, and human flesh used to be sold
in their country in open market, some
chiefs eating It daily as a matter Of lik-
fpe fg he tanF Ell
bic insult to a foe or punishment to a
person guilty of a grievous crime to eat
him. Besides the question of economy is
considered. Al a feast u was cheaper to
slaughter six slaves at 100 guilders than
to kill six buffa,oes at $50 guders
When a distinguished Lerson died, two
individuals customarily went through a
lot of buffooneries al the graveside, after
which they were killed and laid in the ex-
cavation, the coffin being placed on top
OF them. Cannibalism is more or less mix
ed up with the religion of these people,
who have their wizards and witch doctors
to practice nominations. 7r
The Battaks build houses of planks and
strong beams placing them on piles for
the advantage thus given in defending
them. Many of their villages are on
almost inaccessible pinnacles In the hills,
favorite spots being little plateaus formed
by the broadening of mountain range.
Commonly they are surrounded by pail
isades, with watch towers. Much art
and industry are put into the carving and
painting of the woodwork of the houses.
An outbulding serves as a sleeping place
and council house, rice being stored in the
upper part. No Hight IS kept al night for
fear of attracting ghosts, but in emergen-
cy candles of resin are used. Communal
houses serve as sleeping places for the
unmarried men, sometimes 100 of them to-
gether. Here are hung up the heads of
slain enemies and other trophies.
Nearly all of the highest peaks in Su-
matra are volcanoes, and most of these
are active. In the immediate neighbor-
hood Of these mighty chimneys. which hurl
out masses of ashes and stone, are the
fertile lowlands with a dense population
The destruction of 1000 human lives by
the eruption Of Sumbawa In 1915, and the
washing away Of 1900 people by tidal
waves" following the eruption of Kraka-
toa in 1888, are no solitary instances. In
addition to volcanic eruptions there are
frequent devastating earthquakes and tor
nadoes, making the island a vertable
cockpit of the destructive forces of ma
ture. From the most and fertile earth
spring wonderful forests, which have been
styled the gardens of the sun"-enor-
nous forcing houses crowded with vege.a-
ton and filled with rare and curious