Alaska sentinel., 1906-12-27


 of Celebes recalls the fact, overlooked In quick succession of more momentous occurrences, that the Netherlands are still engaged in a war In the Far East which was begun thirtythree years ago. This perpetual war is not con- nected with the Celebes incident. It Is another story and here 1t Is:
 At the upper end of the Island of Su- matra. called the outpost of the Dutch East Indies, Is an ancient and powerful warllke people called Achinese, who bear some resemblance to the Malay race, but are said to have, emigrated about the seventh century from India. They are now, and have been since the thirteenth century, Mohammedans. Marco Polo the irresponsible, visited the island toward the end of the thir- teenth century, but the first foreigners to attempt the settlement and conquest of Sumatra were the Portuguese, about 200 years later. Achin Is about the size of Ireland, and has population of 75O,O0O.
 For 14o years the Portuguese strug gled to overthrow the Sultan of Achin, but those were the days of splendor and power of the Sultanate. The Sul- tan carried the war Into Malacca and although he accompanied an armada of 300 ships, carrying 60,0o0 warriors. to the neighboring state, the Dons were able to defeat the Moslem chieftain In Malacca. In his own strongholds In Achin, they were not so successful, and retired after an intermittent warfare asting close to a century.
 | The last of the Portuguese had de- parted 100 years before the advance post of the Dutch made its appear ance. For more than fifty years the Dutch were contented to occupy more or less peacefully the lower part of the island, leaving the Sultan of Achin | to the enjoyment of his own. In the meantime 1t happened that the Hlndoo | dynasty In Achin was followed by an Arab race of rulers and the Achinese degenerated In their civilization. Its commerce declined, Its government be- came Irresponsible, and gave way to disordered state bordering on an- archy.
 Having been swallowed up In the French Empire by Napoleon, the Isl ands of Sumatra and Java, after the conqueror's fall passed to the posses sion of England. When Holland once more became a State, England traded the Island of Sumatra for Malacca, an exchange which was welcomed by both governments.
 During the British occupation of Su- matra the English had established sort of friendship with the Sultan of Achin. The British winked at the buccaneering and piracy carried on by the subjects of his HIghness, go long as they did not make a mistake and capture a British ship, and h return for this moral blindness, their good friend the Sultan permitted the English to reside In Achin and develop trade. Tn passing title to Holland In treaties of 1919 and 1924, the English specially stipulated that the Dutch must not conquer the Sultanate of Achin. And the Dutch, however, unwllngly, have kept their word.
 AchIn, while 1t was for fifty years an Fl Dorado for the English, was source of much discomfort to the Dutch. There was no responsible gov ernment at Achin. The Sultan was figurehead, and the people were becom- ing yearly more proficient in piracy and buccaneering. Having worked at these trades until the prospect of gain | became insignificant, they turned their attention to the Dutch end of the island.
 The Achinese crossed the frontier in large bands and swarmed over the country. They captured the Dutch na- tlves and sold them for slaves. Their | pirates ravaged the straits and the China Sea, attacking and plundering Europeans. The Dutch Indian Gov ernment, therefore, In spite of the trea- ties, had to send armed forces against | the marauders. In order to protect their own end of the islands the Dutch had to maintaIh men under arms at all times.
 The northern part of Sumatra Is probably the worst In the world for a foreign army to invade. It is full of pitfalls and there are treacherous riv- CT beds. Only the native knows the country, and 1t Is small wonder the Dutch have been unsuccessful, and have made little headway In their campaign. Nearly every general sent out to take command returns to Europe defeated and humIllated. Holland is compelled to keep In her East Indian possessions an army of about 40.OOO men Most of these are mercenaries,