The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-01-19
A Century's Experience Has Convinced
Them that Ii Is Not Worth While
to Force Education.
THE GENTLEMAN OF THE EAST"
THAT Is WHAT THE MALAYAN
LIKES TO CONSIDER HIMSELF.
He VIII Not Work, and Does Not Wish
Observation-Disclosures Have Same
ID in Philippines.

Correspondence Of the Indianapolis Journal.
SINGAPORE, Dec. 5.-Education of the
Malay in English-speaking possessions has
taken courses quite different in the part of
Malaga within the Straits Settlements and
in the Philippines. English belief is that
neither the physical nor the mental ten
dency of the Malay disposes him toward
new life or thought. On this theory, time
and money spent to teach him more than
his pride or desire prompts him to learn
are wasted. Very little contents him and
there can be no use in trying to stuff him
beyond his appetite or capacity. Therefore,
instead of seeking to improve his mental
status, let the schools indulge his whims,
develop him for peace along the lines that
he favors and which are set deep in his
heart, and within the limitations of his
easy nature he will submit to rational rule,
and otherwise do as we'll as may be eX-
pected.
Holding this view, the government sees
no advantage in an assimilation of official
and common speech. Acquaintance with
the Malay tongue, indeed, is essential to
advancement in the civil service of the
colony. Whether or not the Malay regards
this condition as a tribute to his superior
ity, he is certainly not persuaded because
of it to step aside for anyone. On the
contrary, he clings the closer to his own
and those who wish relations with him
must use words that he knows. Thus Malay
has become the vernacular. 1t is said that
Singapore houses more nationalities than
any other port in the East. Not only in
Singapore, but throughout the colony, the
multiplicity of tribes is bewildering. Ben
galese, Madrasee, King, Tamil, Parsee and
other varieties from India; Arab. Persian.
Abyssinian; Chinese vocal in a dozen dia-
lects; and the infinite jargon bred in the
islands of the archipelago, besides the
assorted crops which Europe produces,
must find a medium of intercourse some
what better than pantomime. The thing
that furnishes it passes for Malay. Posi-
bly, the happy circumstance that this
tongue has escaped Affections of number,
gender, c-onjugation and declension helps
people out. Since what students call pure
Malay had taken wide departure from the
original Sanscrit centuries before the Por-
tugese and Dutch donated to it from their
vocabularies. it will be curious to watch
its adaptability to the mixed layers now
enriching it. The practical point for i'm
mediate view is that the races get on, I'M
Q6TSIdnUluS each OIneT, ana IQdI Malay is
the basis.
Malay knowledge of English is thought of
so little Importance that instruction in the
schools which they attend is wholly in their
own tongue. impaired by native teachers,
who feel amply paid at from ten to fifteen
silver dollars per month. and who are quite
willing to confne their talents to instruction
that barely skins the simplest subjects.
If a boy may read and write a little-a
single sop is thrown to English by teach
ing Roman as well as Arabic characters
if he may perform enough arithmetic to
count his change. and If he may get into
his head the geographical relation of the
Settlements. the Malay states and the vari-
Gus possessions hereabouts, he is thought
quite competent to meet all the demands of
culture. There is no use in saying TO him
that the world is round. He may listen
soberly to that fairy tale out of natural
politeness, but he knows better, from
Mahomed- New tangled theories to the
contrary very likely amuse equally both
pupils and teachers.
NO WISH FOR EDUCATION.
In a colonial population of 572. coo. 192. 300
are returned as Malay, and of that number
1890 are under the age Of fifteen wears.
The Malay school attendance reaches $500.
nearly all boys. 1t is not thought worth
while to send Malay girls to school. Their
aspirations are satisfied in their own sphere.
becoming grandmothers at thirty, by which
time they settle down to toothless age with
their looms and betel. AS may be Judged
from the figures, the attendance of boys is
under parental rather than legal compul-
sion. Once in a while some one advocates
a law to bring native attendance up to the
English normal. but zeal for reform affect
ing other interests than those directly ma
terial cannot stand the climate. The Malay
might not like II, for one thing, and it is
senseless 10 try to find out how bad he
can be, while he is behaving himself. If it
suits him TO live on, supplying his small
needs by occasional light labor, and dis
daining 10 soil himself with the work out of
which foreigners are becoming rich, that
is his affair, and no one is called upon 10
shoulder the responsibility for him. So In
dians and Chinese run the shops, hold the
clerkshipS in commercial houses and get in
to government offices. There are rich Ma
lays, but inheritAnces gave them mining
lands or something else, which other kinds
and breeds were glad to develop on a share
basis, or under royalties. One never hears
of a Malay mine operator or merchant. or
Of a commanding figure in any of the lines
commonly thought useful. On the other
hand, when there are horses TO manage or
run, or fierce game to hunt, or sport TO car
ry through, or a task of peril TO pursue,
which clearly can yield no money profit.
and must invite exposure, privation and
possibly death, the activity and eagerness
Of the Malays are amazing. He likes TO be
thought the gentleman of the East, we'll
above the drudgeries OF life, fond Of his
case, having no thought of money for its
own sake, but kindly Of impulse, fearless of
danger and serene of mind. The world Is
too big for outside affairs TO bother him.
Increase of knowledge can only burden his
mind. Schooling beyond the primary stage
cannot contribute to his aspirations. as
above stated, and it may lead him into
needless trouble. The government appre-
ciates his position and lets him have his
way.
a training college existed for several
years In Singapore, to prepare native teach
ers for vernacular schools. An outbreak Of
beri beri In 1895 furnished sufficient reason