Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1900-03-02
GARoET, JAVA, :
Jan. 8, 1900.

A.
Jan. 8, 1900.
With the decadence Of the powers of the
princes, which everywhere suffered and
quaked before the persistent prosecutions
and armed national support of the Dutch
in the seventeenth century, the present
rule of the Moslem Sultans is merely
nominal, for when these fanatical sover-
eigns were ultimately subjected TO the
dictates of Dutch governor generals they
were compelled to swear allegiance to the
Dutch, and whenever an attempt was after
ward made TO incite rebellion, their au-
thority and power was further limited, un-
til the sovereignty came to be but per
mission to perpetuate a title and continue
the court customs of earlier powerful
princes. To make still more difficult any
chance of a fanatical uprising as was tried
in vain later, new offices and rival courts
were created by the Dutch, who thought
by so doing, G e., pit one against the other
each would stand in fear of the designs and
strength of the envious rival and thus the
constant watchfulness and natural jealousy
of these opposing powers would make the
advance and permanent foothod of the
Dutch more rapid and more secure.
1t was exactly this policy that was salts
factorily executed at Soerpartq, the court
seat for the northern realm of Java, and
the Sultan of Soerparta, Prince Mangkoe
Negoro, now shares the power with the
Soesoehoenan, whose manifest loyalty to
the Dutch gives him greater prominence
and favor. In consideration of the divided
kingdom and bequeathal of the vast realms
to the Dutch company support and guar
anteed protection was a necessary conces-
sion to the bridled princes
From tho ifnnaugp poegpgaipna If which
| a greater part was coniiscated, a monthly
stipend of $40, 900 is given (which each get
respectively and from every square acre
which they lease they are allowed TO re
| ceive one-half glider, 20 cents and from
every 100 pounds of coffee produced they
get a commission of one glider, 10 cents
Stripped of the power 70 exact unjust tax
alton, checked in their tyrannical dictates
and reduced to ar undesirable dependence,
these once powerful apostles Of merciess
| fauaticism are now but the proud satellites
of an ancient Sultanic system whose Gus
toms, habits and pomps they still cherish
and are allowed to exercise within their
palace walls and sanctuaries.
TIE recognized favorite of the triumvi-
rate at Soerparta whose ancestry and
loyalty give him precedence, is Soesoe-
hoenan, whose palace is situated in the
heart of the city entirely enclosed by seven
| extensive complete walls called the "Kra-
ton" Within the "Kraton" the Sultan is
compelled to stay and his desire to 20 out
or anyones wish TO enter must he with per
mission from the Dutch resident governor
general. On him the Sultan is directly de-
| pendent for support, and for him there is
the warmest friendship and respect, and
this incidentally is displayed on the birth
day of the Sultan, when by order of the
resident, the 1900 soldiers of the impris-
oned prince are armed and are allowed TO
| honor their sovereign by parading in for
| midable array, but this privilege ceases
| with the setting of the sun, and for the in
| tervening 1854 days the troops must wear
| only the crude blades and tasseled pixies
better becoming their oriental costumes of
gilt and bright colors.
| Exclusive of the immediate relatives of
this parsonage of empty title and Of the
body guard Of 1900 soldiers, his income and
station allow him an immense family and
harem, besides a host of servants, dancers
and distinguished courtiers, who vary the
| stiffness and statelness Of the court life
with unique entertainments and peculiar
ceremonies, chief among which is the Joint
endeavor which occurs yearly. In the
outer wall of the "Kraton' are Gagged and
chained the fercest of Bengal tigers and
| picked elephants, and when an immense
circle has been formed by the troops, each
man securing himself, and the completeness
of the circle by presenting the glistening
steel point of a long spike into the open
arena, which when ready for the fight, APP
pears like bristling wall and an mpene-
trable phalanx of human beings, the beasts
are loosened one at a time, and the fight To
the death is a spectacle heralded with much
interest and watched with great enthu-
siasm.
Not alone in uninterrupted selfish indul-
gence and luxury does the Sultan content
himself, for however contrary and unpleas-
ant the custom may be to his over-nourish
ed disposition he must be present at the
Dutch residents seat for the reception and
court festivities celebrated in honor of the
Queen of the Netherlands and on New
Years night. This not only attests his 10y
atty and allegiance to the colonial govern
ment, but is public testimonial of fealty
and harmony, which, if lacking, as his fail
ure to appear would signify, would NEAR
deposition and a cessation of his reign. In
fact, the performance of this importan
ceremony is an event of the year and il
accompanied with a fitting demonstration o.
stateliness, stiffness, court etiquette and
VI anu duCleuJ NuslOlus
both suggestive, unique and peculiar t.
their times. AS one of the 300 invited
guests at the residency to receive the Sui
, tan and his retinue, l was obliged to worl
up an unwelcome familiarity with my dres
coat aud top hat at . p. NJ. which was t.
liken the sensation of hearing my dealt
warrant read as the thermometer ha
ceased to register, owing to overwork il
the tropics, and in this incubator of a ba
disposition be present at the residency
half hour before the sbooming of dstan
70 cannon announced the approach of Hi
g Importance, the Sultan of Solo Soesoehot
. nan.
g The pompons pace and distinguish
/ dress of about 100 menias carrying tn
9 tall decorated umbrellas of state, bare
y footed and less clothed in intellect, marke
d the van of the royal procession. These
r vided on either side of the entrance to a
e low the body of lance bearers, numherin
e several hundred, to make impressive thei
reputed might as they in turn divided t
, lend dignity and Importance to the troop
f archeTs held to be higher in the royl
ranks.
It The unorderly horde of the glitternl
n gOwned body guard composed of the chose
10 followers we're surrounded on all sides b
2 another band of umbrella bearers who's
It brilliantly frescoed state shades were il
e significant when compared with the lavish
Y ly wrought sarrongs native dress) and pc
IS ished armor of the honored protectors