The sun., 1916-12-30

AHloTlCb mas luteTeStS III tHo TO-
East. Many Americans do not realize
It. Our occupation Of the Philippines
has committed us to an Oriental pol
Icy. While we are there we must be
prepared for any eventuality. Sur
priSes come with lightning speed and
with tragic results. They did to the
Spaniard and Russian: they may come
suddenly to us.
There are two sources sd which
trouble may arise at any time and
draw us into war;: China and the
Dutch East Indies. The Dutch Fast
Indies are now a very important fac
tor In the Pacific problem. This may
surprise some. considering Holland as
an altogether insignificant nation. II
Is not Holland but the geographical
situation Of these islands which gives
them such great Importance. These
islands form the gateway from the
Indian Ocean to the Pacific. The first
class Power which holds these islands
can effectually hold up any other
Power in the Far East. That this is
known In Toxic. London. Berlin, Paris
and Washington is indubitable.
Little is heard of this matter in the
press OF the Entente countries. Occa-
sionally q French writer throws out
the suggestion that the islands ought
to be given to Japan. so that Japan
may send troops to Europe. England
says little. Britishers living in the
Dutch East Indies talk as though 1t
were a foregone conclusion that SUI
matra will fall to England and Java
and Borneo to Japan. Nothing Of this
Ia heard from the British Foreign Of
fce. but It IL an open secret. Japan.
however. cannot allow England to
hold Sumatra, for with the great Brit
ish fleet lying at anchor in the spa
cious bay between the island Of Sa-
bang and the mainland Of Sumatra.
together with the fertilization of the
island of Sabang and the Straits of
Sunda. Britain could dominate the
China Sea. Notwithstanding the An
glo-Japanese alliance there exists to-
day the bitterest rivalry and animos-
ity between Japan and Great Britain.
future they will be enemies.
What will the Dutch do? Are they
preparing for Japanese aggression?
We hear that the Dutch are rapidly
completing their defences: that they
will be able to hold the Straits of
Sunda against Japan. &C. These
statements would provoke a smile
were they moi so pathetic and child
like in their simplicity. The Dutch
know the facts. and leave decisions
to us Americans.
The political situation within the
islands Is very critical. In 1914 there
was a revolution In Borneo. In 1916
there were revolutions in Timor,
Flores. Java. and Sumatra. The revo-
luton in Sumatra was so serious that
Il threatened to overthrow the Dutch
Government. For a while it looked
as IL 1t would spread everywhere. but
1t quieted down. To-day there are
three great forces at work in the
Dutch Fast Indies. the Sareket Islam,
the Budi Otomo (Mohammedan socie-
ties) and the Chinese. All Of them
have great grievances. Outwardly
they are loyal, but secretly they wish
the overthrow of the Dutch. Unrest
and discomfort are widespread. OPP
preston, injustice and heavy taxation
have alienated the good will OF the
natives and Chinese.
The Chinese are the implacable enc
mics OF the Dutch. The record OF the
i'll treatment of the Chinese by the
Dutch is as black "A record as a he
found. They have out-Turked the
Turk. The hatred Of the Chinese for
the Dutch is rs deep as their hatred
Of the Manchu for making the
Manchu-D Dutch treaty Of May. 1911
and also of Yuan Shih-k'ai for not
changing the treaty. They helped plo,
and finance the overthrow of the Man
chus and Yuan Shih-k'ai. and II the
Dutch do not Immediately change
their laws and enfranchtse the Chi
nese. giving them the same rights ant
privileges enjoyed by the japanese
in the Dutch East Indies, the down
fall OF the Dutch Government is as
sured. The Japanese are on very am
icable terms with the Chinese in these
islands and are sparing no means Il
win the Chinese and natives over tt
their view.
The Japanese view is that tn,
Dutch are Credentials n oppressive
whereas the Japanese are Orientals
Ike the Chinese and natives, anC
would come to the rescue Of theil