The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1901-04-25
Little Peace Enjoyed in ACHE
for 100 Years.
WHO THE ACHINESE ARE.
The Dutch Believe They Have Con
quered at LasU.--A Conflict About
" hich Little l. Know

iiltitt S'AAt titt- iHAfi pines tlEt Ilftl
the only countries where war l. in
progress. In different parts Of the
world campaigns OF long standing
are being carried on daily. Some OF
them have never been heard OF in this
country; others have been forgot
ten.
Under the latter head comes Achin.
where for years the Dutch have been |
striving to subiu9ate the natives. IA |
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 100
years it has known little peace, first
with one land then with another
but principally with the Dutch
The end of this protracted war is.
however, believed to be within sight
at last. During the last three years
Dutch have won repeated victories,
BatoeiIik, the strongest fortified gar
rison OF the Achinese, Is hard pressed
and its fall is expected to result in
the surrender OF the natives.
A race that can resist fora number
of years a we'll organized invasion OF
European troops is worthy OF some
attention. The country is situated
in the north of Sumatra 1t il the
only state in the island that still re-
mains Independent of the Dutch, but,
as already foreshadowed. its indie
pendence appears to be now doomed.
the population numbers about 32S,-
1000.
Before its decline, which commenced
early in the eighteenth century, Ach
} in was in close touch commercially
with England. 1t was TO the port OF
Achin that London merchants Oh.
rected their first steps toward secur-
ing trade in the Indies. Queen Eliza
beth sent confidential communica-
tions to the King OF Achin by special
envoy, and James also correspond
ed 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 couple OF
brass cannon of extraordinary size,
They were a present from James
to the ruler of Achin.
SO considerable IN fact. was Achln :
cne-time power that to reduce Mai
acca it fitted out an armada OF nc
fewer than 500 ships, 100 OF which
were larger than any then used IL
Europe. The ships carried 10000
men. with the king himself in com
mand.
Moreover, Achin at one time pro
duced more gold than any othe
country in the East. excepting per
haps Japan. One chronicler tixe'
the annual output at 3l2.OO'
ounces.
t reigned. and the foreign residents O
: Achin believed, though erroniOusl,
that the Queen of Sheba was Queer
: OF Achin
Il The Achinese employ minte'
money. including gold coin stamps
with Arabic characters.
d Great stretches OF the interior hav
d not vet been explored, but from sea
Z ward two gigantic volcanic mour
Is tains rising to height OF about IL
600 feet are visible
j Little also Is known Of the Lar
= guage. This, perhaps, Is not strang'
+ Notwithstanding the great caree
l. which Achin once had. Language
II like people and like where there is
It diminution in national greatness
'e wither away and areforgotten wher
- there is diminution in national We
or. or else they change so completed
that they are unrecognizab bic
1e Though once powerful enough
5 drive the Portuguese out OF the islam
10 and TO have a feet and an army thu
were the envy OF larger countrle
Achin now appears destined 70 di
appear from the map altogether
New Battleship Maine.
e
Va Philadelphia. April let Ia
d practically been decided 10y Il