The Honolulu republican. [volume] (Honolulu, T.H.) 1900-1902, 1901-07-28
HUNDRED-ygAR WAR ENDED.
Aehin, Once a Gres, Nation, Con
quered by the Dutch.

South Africa, China. and the Phil
lppines are not the only countries
where war is in progress. In differ
ent parts of the world campaigns Of
long standing are being carried on
daily. Some OF them nave never
been heard of in this country: others
have been forgotten.
Under the latter head comes Achin
where for years the Dutch have been
striving to subjugate the natives
q race so important that at one time
its rulers received embassies from
the greatest potentates in Europe.
that OF England included.
Achin is probably the most war
ridden state in the world. For
hundred years it has known but little
peace. first war with one land. then
with another. but particularly with the
Dutch.
The end OF this proracted war IS,
however believed TO be within sight
at last During the last three years
the Dutch have won repeated vic
tories. Batoeilik. the strongest forti-
fed garrison of the Achinese. is hard
pressed. and its fall is expected TO re-
suit in the surrender of the natives.
A race that can resist for a number
OF years a well organized invasion
OF European troops is worthy of some
attention The country is situated in
the north of Sumatra. II is the only
state in the island that still remains
independent of the Dutch. but. as
already foreshadowed its indepen-
dence appears to be now doomed. The
population numbers about 32S.000.
Before its decline. which commenc-
ed early in the eighteenth century.
Achin was in close touch CONNER
cially with England II was to the
port of Achin that London merchants
directed their first efforts toward Sc
curing trade lin the Indies. Queen
Elizabeth sent confidential commu-
nications TO the King of Achin by spe-
cial envoy. and James |. also cores
pended with the reigning monarch,
who lived in such luxurious style that
he had 900 state elephants. To this
day there stand near the gate of the
Kings palace a couple of brass can
non of extraordinary size. They were
a present from James /. to the ruler
of Achin. They still bear the found
er's name and the date legibly inscrib-
ed upon them.
So considerable. in fact. was Achin's
one-time power that to reduce Malac-
ca it fitted out an armada of no few
err than 500 ships. 100 of which were
larger than any then used in Europe.
The ships carried 10000 men, with
the King himself in command.
Moreover. at one time. Achin pro-
dueed more gold than any other coun-
try in the East. excepting perhaps
Japan. One chronicler fixes the an
nual output at 512 200 ounces. For
| fifty-eight years female sovereigns
reigned. and the foreign residents in
Achin believe. though enormously.
that the Queen of Sheba was Queen
of Achin.
The Achinese employ minted money.
/ including a gold coin stamped with
Arabic characters. called mas"
Great stretches OF the interior have
not yet been explored. but from sea-
ward two gigantic volcanic mountains,
rising to height of about 1000 feet.
/ are visible
Little also is known of the language.
/ This perhaps. is not strange. notwith-
standing the great career which
Aehin once had. Languages. like peo-
pies and Ike greatness. wither away
and are forgotten where there is n
diminution in national vigor. or else
they change so completely that they
are unrecognlxable.
Though once powerful enough to
drive the Portuguese out Of the ISL
and and to have a feet and an army
that were the envy of larger coun-
tries. Aehin has slowly drifted into
the limbo Of forgotten states. and
nov appears destined TO disappear
from the map lsogesher.-London
Nail