The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1914-04-17

IN disclosing coHulIloHe ano iein
social and political reform. Moreove
in a country where the discussion
politics is not merely discouraged bu
by law forbidden, it is hopeful t
find a political society, we'll organized
with more than 10000 members, tn
Indische or Indian party, the avowe
purpose of which is equality befor
the law for all inhabitants of the is
lands This society includes in it
membership all classes and Is doinl
an excellent educational work though
prudent as its leaders are in the main
it comes frequently into collision witt
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 strong advocate.
Aims Of Reform Society.
"The object Of the Indische rarty,"
explained Mr.. Kakebeeke, lis tc awak-
ell 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. to
teach the history of these people ia
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 sch~o
mat the natives may become skilled
% do their own technical work rather
han be compelled to import men to
10 1t. We wish free education for all
taught in the schools and no
Inference in education because Of
ace or sex. We favor one law for
europeans and natives alike. We de.
ire to enlarge the influence of the
alive in the government by giving
I'm the right to participate in it. We
lsn to equalize taxation, to protect
10 laborer, to improve economic and
'clal conditions, and to do all these
llngs within the law"
Robbery by Tax-coilectors,
Conditions far worse than those
lich the Indische party seeks to rem.
y IN Java exist in the other islands
the archipelago, Borneo, Sumatra,
'ieDes and the smaller ones. In
csc the native is peon, half-savage
If-slave. The exceptions are
!. y leleGs. faks ft6 tie 1Safssr~m%|
kation in Borneo, as the one sufi-
mt example Of the general rule.
t an intelligent, high-minded, pa.
otto Dutchman tell the story. Il
ed for some time among the prim.
We population in Borneo," he said.
way in the interior the different
bes Of the so-called dreadful Da-
IS were my helpers. Shy at first,
~ soon became friendly when they
Ind that was not after their slen-
belongings but paiG fair wages. |
o day a government tax collector |
me. When you and l pay taxes we |
something in return, police pro- |
'tiOn, courts, justice. These Bor- |
D natives get nothing in return. The |
l-collector kept at his work until |
IRE was not fellow in the whole |
mp that had dollar left except my. |
+. He stripped the camp and the |
tive village bare Of everything of !
Tue. His boats carried it all down
river-as taxes. The Dajaks, who
Il are uncivilized and cut off their
9mies' heads, when they hear of the I
it of the tax-collector to any tribe, "
attack those thus visited, a
owing they will have nothing left
h which to make defense. Is it n
ange that the tax.collector is some. G
les the victim of the enraged ma n
es? do not blame him for his N
collecting. The stay-at-homes must 81
re revenue, and he must produce it Ii
them. 1t is a rotten system of i
rice and greed" u
rebellion MercilessIy Suppressed. II
occasionally even the light-hearted, ~
Javanese rebels against "
h treatment and there is blood VI VI
ID. The Dutch speedily and merci- .
sly suppress the instruction and -
outside world, so rigid is the con- - =.
! of the press, hears little or moth -
Of 1t. In the other islands, par -
llarly in Sumatra and Borneo, =,
ere the natives are less gentle v
n in Java, there is constant strife.
Timor the natives arose in wrath L
other day at the exactions and
tialities of an official and well-nigh
pied the entire government of the
md hole Dutoh on5 hole Do,+,