Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1914-05-08

x1S
DER cent of the total number OF in
habitants, are grouped irrevocably In
the lowest class. They are a peo-
pie held in practical peonage by
a nation which last year celebrated its
one hundredth year of its freedom.
When E. F. e. Douwes Decker and
Tjipto Mancoenkoesoemo, editors OF
the Java Express, protested and plead
ed, in rather vigorous language. for
fairer treatment for the natives OF
Java, for justice and freedom. the
Dutch government promptly exiled
them from the island, and they are
now in Punishment in Holland.
The Dutch government, sterner In
administration in the archipelago
than the Holland officials at home be-
lieve or wish, has been forced to take
cognizance of the awakening demand
for liberty and justice. The Moham-
medan organization, though its chief
aim is religious, has had some effect
In disclosing conditions and urging
social and political reform. Moreover.
in a country where the discussion OF
politics is not merely discouraged but
by law forbidden, it is hopeful to
find a political society, we'll organized.
with more than 10000 members, the
Indische or Indian party, the avowed
purpose of which is equality before
the law for all inhabitants of the is
lands. This society includes In its
membership all classes and is doing
an excellent educational work though.
prudent as its leaders are in the main.
1t comes frequently into collision with
the local government. The organ OF
the society is the Java Express, edit
ed at Bandoeng By H. C. Kakebeeke.
a Dutchman by birth, a resident OF
Java, but by naturalization a citizen
OF the United States. The Express is
the best edited newspaper in Java,
and has the largest circulation. Kechil,
Sina, their father and brothers and
the 100000 of the same race are
not without a strong advocate.
Aims Of Reform Society.
The object of the Indische party"
explained Mr.. Kakebeeke. lis to awak-
en- the patriotism of all Indians for the
soil that nurtures them, to create a
desire for political equality in an
Indian fatherland and thus prepare
the way for independence" 1t was
this hint at possible future independ.
ence that caused the governor-gen.
eral to decline to permit the incor.
poration of the society under the
forms of law. THE Indische party
purposes" said Mr.. Kakebeeke, Ito
teach the history Of these people to
them in order to awaken the latent
national sentiment. We would abolish
all special privileges that attach to
race or caste. We are opposed to re-
ligiOus sectarianism or strife. We seek
the establishment of technical schools
that the natives may become skilled
to do their own technical work ratAe
than be compelled to import men to
do it. We wish free education for all,
morality taught in the schools and no
difference in education because of
race or sex. We favor one law for
Europeans and natives alike. We de-
sire to enlarge the influence of the
native in the government by giving
him the right to participate in it. We
wish to equalize taxation, to protect
the laborer, TO improve economic and
social conditions, and to do all these
things within the law"
Robbery by Tax-coIIectors.
Conditions far worse than those
which the Indische party seeks to rem.
edy in Java exist in the other islands
of the archipelago. Borneo, Sumatra,
Celebes and the smaller ones. In
these the native is a peon, half-savage
and half-slave. The exceptions are
not numerous. Take the matter of
taxation in Borneo, as the one suffi-
cient example of the general rule
Let en- intelligent, high-minded, pa.
triotic Dutchman tell the story. Il
lived for some time among the prim.
tive population in Borneo," he said.
Away in the interior the different
tribes of the so-called dreadful Da.
jaks were my helpers. Shy at first,
they soon became friendly when they
found that l was not after their slen.
der belongings but paid fair wages.
One day a government tax collector
came. When you and l pay taxes We
get something in return, police pro.
lection, courts, justice. These Bor-
neo natives get nothing in return. The
tax-collector kept at his work until
there was not fellow in the whole
camp that had a dollar left except my.
self. He stripped the camp and the
native village bare of everything OF
value. His boats carried it all down
the river-as taxes. The Dajaks, who
still are uncivilized and cut off their
enemies heads, when they hear of the
visit of the tax-collector to any tribe
Immediately attack those thus visited,
knowing they will have nothing left
with which to make defense. Is 1t
strange that the tax-collector is some
times the victim of the enraged ma,
tives? / do not blame him for his
tax-collecting. The stay-at-homes must
have revenue, and he must produce 1t
for them. 1t is rotten system OF
avarice and greed"
Rebellion MerciIessIy Suppressed.
Occasionally even the light-hearted,
ho nvy or In Lxv