The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-04-06
Great Advance i'm the Federated Ma
lay states Brought About With
in "a Quarter of a Century.
COMPARED TO PHILIPPINES
SAME CLASS OF PEOPLE TO BE
DEALT WITH BY AMERICANS.
An object Lesson Showing What May
BE Accomplished on the Islands
by Wise Management


SINGAPORE. Feb Z5-Of the various
civilizing experiments to which the Malays
have been subjected since their contact
with white influence none surpasses in in
structve value that yet developing in the
federated Malay states. The story covers
transition in a few years from wanton rule
TO orderly control. Malays doubtless held
high station in earlier centuries. Pride of
bearing. hOspitable impulse and disdainful
courage survive from the original stock.
But when racial decadence opened the way
for encroachment and Chinese adventure
pushed its pioneers into the peninsula that
region became a breeding place for outlaw
~. The cohesive attraction which had held
the Malays together as a people could not
withstand this strain upon il, and the race
split into tribes occupying separate dis
tricts. and with no community of interest.
Jealousy and feud creDt in. internal strife,
corruption and bribery prevailed and hui
man life. ever lightly regarded in the East.
had no protection or safeguard whatever
except in the readiness Of the individual
TO defend himself. Intrigue. robbery and
murder at home and piracy abroad filled
the common thought. A condition of saw
agery must have resulted had not English
Intervention been sought and extended. The
effort at redemption encountered obstacles,
some of which had to be removed by mill
tary force: but it has never moved back
ward, and its successive steps in the last
twenty-six years have worked in these
states a transformation almost without
parallel and have added a memorable chap
ter to English colonial history.
In a limited degree only may comparisons
be justified between the Malay states and
A.
ings of Spanish rule. it maintained at least
the appearance OF an undivided sovereignty
and of accountability TO a central power.
It's dealings. however. were with racial
elements quite like these in the pernin-
sula. Malay in the beginning and discIos-
= ing later a strong Chinese infusion. The
veneer OF civilization with which Spain
overlaid this composite appealed neither to
its loyalty nor to its interests. and charac-
ter and tendencies in the peninsula and the
Philippines have probably always been
closely allied and so remain. Methods may
differ with conditions and purposes in hand
ling the wards in the present world move
ment. Administrator by one government
need not take pattern from that OF another,
but when policies part on the essentials of
fair dealing and consideration for native
welfare better Illustration of results can
hardly be found than has been furnished
within a few years, with people strikingly
alike I'm origin and racial development, in
the Philippines under Spain and in the
Malay peninsula under England.
Sovereign rights affect not at all these
results, for while Spain owned and Eng
land merely supervised, rule was no
stronger or more complete in one case than
In the other. Why these growths from the
same trunk fruited. respectively, in revolt
and in prosperity and contentment, in a d-
vorce OF interest and aspiration against a
relationship so close as 10 amount to actual
allegiance i'm everything except name. in
implacable hatred and intolerance against
IN affection thoroughly loyal and stead
fast are questions TO be by refer
ence 10 the disposition which government
was undertaken and carried on in the two
territories. Since Philippine government
now promises TO be conducted on humani-
tartan lines as broad as those applied TO
the peninsula. although varying radically
I'm general character. the successes recorded
in the peninsula may furnish at least par
tial forecast of what may occur in the
Philippines when conditions there shall
have become pacihed.
OUTLINE OF BRITISH POLICY.
British policy I'm general has always been
90 interfere as little as possible with the
manners customs. methods and prejudices
of the people: to let them alone in their re-
ligion. to attract capital for the develop
ment OF natural resources. to encourage
labor immigration-the native product be-
ing constitutionally averse to that sort of
s~ervice-and TO make the land attractive
for industrial and commercial uses by the
construction OF roads, of railways and by
works OF drainage and irrigation. Security
for life and property were furnished by
systems OF police and courts. Free hospi-
tails and schools were opened and land
titles were adjudicated and fixed. Natural
ly the British free-trade policy became op-
erative with the abolition of import duties.
except on opium and spirits. and of all re-
straints on trade. m and industry.
There were three states under British pro-
lection IN 1875 whose combined revenue was
$499, S94 and whose expenditure was 1896, S72.
In 1889 four states had a combined revenue
OF S,0l3.0o0, with ar expenditure of $4.091.-
OS, the new state contributing TO revenue
$3.50 and being responsible for the ex-
penditure Of S142.62O. Federation was estab-
lished i'm 1896. the administration having
previously been through resident COUNSEL
ors. Under the amended arrangement the
native rulers agree 10 constitute their ter
ritories into a federation. 10 be admins
tered under the advice of the British gov
eminent; 10 accept a resident general. in
addition 10 the separate state residents: 10
render one another such assistance in men.
money and otherwise as the British gov
eminent might advise. and TO send a body
OF armed Indian troops for service in the
Straits Settlements. should war break out
between England and any other power.
Revenue in the year in which federation
went into effect amounted 10 s.. 49, S3 and
expenditure r. Ss.59S.I47. In the last fiscal
year the figures reached SIS, 609. S07 and Sl2.-
7&.39O. Tin. the principal source Of rev.
enuc. contributed 100000 10 the assets of
the year. railway receipts furnished 81
10000. land revenue 100000. the posts and
telegraph nearly $4,000. The assets of the
states include more than 300 miles Of rail-
way, LOO miles Of cart road. LOO miles OF