New-York tribune., 1899-01-20

detectives, privates, charge-takers, etc. The
prison systems Of all the States were made uni
form. The police and prisons of each State
were put under the direct and sole control Of
the Resident, subject to instructions from the
Resident-Generel or High Commissioner.
Federal Commissioner Of Lands and Mines
was appointed. who framed uniform codes Of
land tenure and mining regulations, which were
adopted by all the States.
Federal Commissioner for Chinese Affairs
wao charged with the supervision OF that ele-
ment OF the population which formed a sort of
"imperium in imperio."
The scheme also provided for a Federal Chief
Engineer Of Public Works, Chief Railway Engi-
neer. Chief Surveyor. Chief Accountant, Chief
Surgeon. Inspector OF Schools and Inspector OF
Ports and Telegraphs. All these officers were,
Of course. TO be Europeans at least for the
present.
The cost Of all this administration was to be
divided among the States in proportion not to
their population. but to their revenue. Thus
the rich and prosperous States were made to
help the poorer, and all were moved. through
mutual benefcence ard singleness OF aim,
toward higher prosperity.
That system. adopted at the time of Fedora
ton. Is the one now In force In the Federated
Malay States. At the present time the total
yearly revenue Of all four States is about $S50O-
900. and the expenditures about the same. Fifty
per cent Of the money is spent for roads. rail-
roads, bridges and other public works. The
value Of foreign trade in 1896 was above S2S,-
100000 exports and $21 600 900 imports, a total
Of about $50000000-a very good amount for a
population of only about five hundred thousand.
V
Such Is the story OF British administration in
the protected and federated States OF the Malay
Peninsula The net result Of 1t is peace, pros
perity and civilization Broils on land and
piracy on sea are now no Slavery is
abolished. Squeezing" is known no more.
Taxes are lighter, yet the effective revenue is
vastly increased, and public works Of meal
culabe benehcence are being executed on
scale not dreamed Of a generation ago. The
country has been opened up to industry Of all
kinds Justice has been made uniform and i'm
partial and all men equal before the law.
And all this has been accomplished without
a war; with scarcely any action by the imperial
Government, and chiefly through the agency OF
the natives themselves The native chiefs have
been made to feel that they are still chiefs, and
the native people that they are still under native
rule. Warning tribes have been developed and
consolidated into nation, and that nation has
been put well on the high road to advanced
civilization and place in the community OF
enlightened States. There has been no lighting
No additional burden has been laid upon the
Weary Titan" Not shilling has been taken
from the pocket Of the British taxpayer. No
self seeking Chartered Company" has been en-
riched at the expense Of Justice and liberty.
No tyranny over subject races" has been ex-
ercised. There has been nothing but firm, yet
kind. leadership Of people not yet able to
maintain their freedom without such tutelage.
Indeed, we might not inappropriately apply to
the Malay States the words of our own Con-
stitution. and say that through the protection
and control and guidance Of British admins
traitors justice has been established. domestic
tranquility has been Unsecured the common de-
fence has been provided for, the general well
fare has been promoted, and the blessings OF
liberty have been secured TO the people and 10
their posterity.
Such is the story Of quarter century,
rounded and complete to-day. and bearing from
the Far East its rich message Of admonition
and of encouragement, OF instruction and of
inspiration to a Nation kindred to that which
wrote It, and which wrought the deeds 1t tells,
now moving into that same Far East TO deal
with like problems among like peoples 1t Is
a story of what men have done. There remains
for this Nation to prove the old saying true
and to show that other men, OF the same blood
and race and speech and thought and aim, can
do the same again.
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