The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1909-07-29
In Ceylon's Spicy Isle.
BY Frederic j. Haskin, in Columbia State.

blood of the happy native OF prosper
Gus Ceylon no less than it has thrilled
the more unfortunate Asiatic of coun-
tries to which nature has been less
bountiful and man more cruel in op-
preston. The Young Turk over
threw the supreme power OF the sub
lime porte to gain liberty. The con-
stitutionalists in Persia are shedding
their blood in the cause of progress.
The Hindu is demanding voice in
his government because he is brow
beaten and hungry. The Chinese
young men work for reform that it
may exalt the station of their empire
to that of a great power. The Jap
anese young reformers have already
become elder statesmen, and they are
the pattern for all the others. The
Ceylonese has liberty, he has plenty
to eat, all he wants to wear, the bless
ings of education and almost unlimit-
ed opportunities for personal ad-
vancement But he shares in the
unrest of his continent, and he is set
upon reform for the sake of Office.
The victory of Japan in the war
with Russia-the defeat of the Occi-
dent by the Orient, the white by the
brown-awoke the embers of long
smoldering fire and kindled the blaze
of Asiatic patriotism which is now
sweeping over the oldest and the
greatest of continents. In Ceylon the
interest in that war was intense. A
considerable portion of the popula-
ton here is descended from the old
Dutch colonists of more than cen
tury ago. When the Boer war was in
progress the 'burghers' of Colombo
sympathized with their kinsman OF
the Boer republics. But the colony
was loyal to the empire, and sent two
contingents of volunteer soldiers to
south Africa to fight for England.
Naturally there was great interest in
that conflict. But when the Russo
japanese war came on, the Ceylonese
newspapers found that, in compari-
son, the people had cared nothing at
all about south Africa. Special edi-
tions had to be supplied, at smaller
cost, in order that the very poorest
coolie might have the news of the
war. All over the island the people
joyfully celebrated each successive
Japanese victory.
It was of no use to explain that
the Russian was half Oriental, that
his nation was only half white, and
that it was the Oriental corruption of
his government which made him so
weak in battle. 1t was of no use to
protest that the Japanese were in
debted to what the West had taught
him for all his victories. Explana-
tions would not temper the JOY Of the
Asiatic, smarting under four centur-
les of European domination, when he
had come into possession of knowl-
edge of the indisputable fact that a
people Of Asia, and a small people,
had defeated the most populous ma
tion of Europe, in one of the greatest
wars Of all history.
Touching Ceylon, another factor
contributed to the present unrest and
agitation. The United States had
gained possession of the Philippine
islands, where Spain had ruled with
medieval harshness for four centur-
ies. The Americans had promised
ultimate independence. Finally, they
granted an elective legislative assem-
bly,. That gave the Ceylonese his
clue.
The issue in Ceylonese politics to-
day is clearly drawn. The three and
a half millions of natives demand a
share in the government and ask for
the privilege of electing members to
the legislative assembly OF the colony.
The 5000 Europeans say "No!"
Ceylon is a crown colony of the
British empire. That means simply
that it's government is absolutely in
the hands of the autocrat who, for
the time being, is secretary of state
for the colonies in the British cabi-
net. The secretary of state can do
as he likes with the crown colonies,
although in practice he delegates
much of his authority and power to
the governor, whom he appoints. The
governor is assisted in administra-
ton by an executive council made up
of the various heads of departments.
The statutory law and the financial
affairs of the colony are partially un-
der the control of the legislative
council. The governor and his Off
cial family are voting members by
virtue of their station, and they form