Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1898-06-12
s DUTCH RULE IN Java
sk9ow the Hollanders Successfully Man
age a Distant Possession.

III.
est. Louis Globe Democrat.)
Holland has q colony at greater
distance from that country than the
Philippine Islands are from the United
states. Moreover, the colony IS of
apout the same tpye as the Philippines.
Consul Skinner at S1arseilles has sent
70 the Department OF State an interest
ing letter on the way the government
OF the Netherlands manage its far-oit
possessions. He writes:
N view OF the recent developments
on land and sea, l deem it proper to
communicate some observations made
TO me by subject OF the government
OF the Netherlands qualified to speak
on the topic Of the Dutch rule in the
island OF Java.
This important possession came int %
the hands of Holland late in the sew
enteenth century, and. thanks to a wise
and benign administration which,
though only occupying only small
corner of Europe, boasts of subjects
numbering about 100000 While the
civil government of Java is conducted
son principles of liberty, peace and
progress, the net annual revenue of
the colony may be stated at 5000 COG
guilders, including the maintenance Of
an army OF 10000 men called into serv-
Ice to repress piracy and hrigandage.
The native population is denscly
ignorant and full Of caste and religious
pSeJuoiceS- Inc eHoTl Oh the govern
1nent is to educate and elevate these
people. without, however. outraging
their racial instincts. To accomplish
this end the Dutch government retaina
the native sultans and chiefs, supplies
them with a gorgeous retnue. and sur
ronds them with every sign of pomp
and power. Thus securing them upon
y otherwise prccarious thrones. the par
entail hand obtains in return faithful
subserSiency. and the unconspicuous
but all-poWerful master Of the situa-
ton rules without revolt. and at the
same time sows the seeds of education
and reform, which gradually ripen and
bear fruit. My informant said:
I'VE Dutchmen in Java move like
drop Of oil--very, very slowly but all
the time moving-and by and by, when
something is accomplished. It has come
about SO gradually thah nobody knows
how it happened. We pay the native
priests. we support a large native po-
lice force and we rule by the hands
and mouths of the natives: but all the
time we have our own people on guard,
and no important move il made With
out our consent Thus the people and
their chiefs are contented and happy
and we keep them so by maintaining
condition more favorable than they
could hope to muinfntn themselves.
We encourage a healthy morale by
permitting native and European sol
diery to marry and live together In
families. ana we never send a Dutch
official to the colonies unless he is en-
dowed with qualities likely to improve
the condition OF things. All OF our Off
Gals must work hard. The improved
condition of the natives over their fell
lows elsewhere shows what can be
done Eventually the entire colony
will be ripe for similar government.
The profitable side OF the accounts
Is traceablH tho operutj ions Of thp
Netherlands Trading Company which
was only another name for the Dutch
government. This government actual
~ plants crops. manufactures and sells
on lands held by the government The
government ut home operates u
planter and merchant and its immense
net income is the product of legitimate
toll and enterprise and not Of burden
some taxation. We succeed among
strange people because we do more for
them than they can do for themselves,
and any other scheme OF coloniZntio
is bound to fall" H..