The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-02-05
MANY UPRISINGS IN
DUTCH EAST INDIES
Hollands Colonial Outlook Is Consider
ably Clouded, but the Country
Has Been Making Money
During the War.

The Hague, Netherlands, Feb. 5. -
While the economic life of the Dutch
East Indies has been little impeded by
the European war. during the past II
months, and big profits have even been
booked by the plantation industry Hol-
lands colonial sky has been little
| clouded by unrest and disturbances in
many parts of her far eastern posses
| sions. Apart from the rebellion in two
important provinces of Sumatra, more
or less serious disorders have taken place
in Borneo, Celebes. Timor, Flores and
other islands, and are still sporadically
occurring. Troops have everywhere sue
ceeded in restoring order, and save in the
case of the Sumatran rebellion with lit
tie trouble but not before the armed
police in charge of these "Outer Posses
sions" had suffered losses. On the other
hand, Acheen, the scene of one of Hol-
lands longest and most stubborn colo
NAL wars, remained quiet, although oe-
easional assassinations of officials testl-
~ to the continued existence OF some
amount of ferment.
In the main island of Java itself, local
unrest has been manifest here and there
owing TO the war and pan-islamic agita-
ton. The most remarkable political con-
sequences of the world war for the Meth
erlands East Indies, however, is the anxl-
ETY. shown both in native and European
circles on the subject of Japanese ambi-
tons, as expressed by some writers. The
Japanese government itself has given no
reason whatever for any such suspicious,
its efforts being rather directed to ex-
tending commercial relations with the
country. To this end, Q party of Jap
anese toured the archipelago, where they
were cordially received by the authori-
ties at various centers.
As regards economic conditions, anxi-
ETY. is entertained regarding the growing
scarcity of cargo space available be- |
tween the colony and the mother coun
try, and petition is being sent to parlia
ment, pointing out what prejudicial re- /
suits might flow from a further decrease
of shipping for the numerous plantation |
with their tropical products.
Partly owing TO this cause, there has
been practical cessation of the import
If all kinds of articles which Dutch In
iia formerly obtained from EuropeI as
against which phenomenon. trade and d.
rect traffic with America has undergone
1 considerable extension, although Jap
anese commerce and industry appear to
be profting even more from the absence
)f the usual European competition,
Meanwhile, various harbor improvements
nave been or are being executed at such
ports as Tandjong Prick tthe port of the
.apital, Batavia Mscassar and Souraba
"a. with view to adequately meeting
uture shipping needs. While tea and
ugar plantations are enjoying consider
lbe prosperity, the big native copra-
PLANTING industry is depressed by low
prices.
Progress has been made towards a So
ution of the Chinese question. The nu-
nervous Chinese population is now at
liberty to move about Java without spe .
ial passes and to settle outside special {
quarters previously assigned to them. '
The Anticipated system Of appointing
'hinese Officers to exercise certain ad
powers among their com
iatriots has also been done away with. {
| step in the direction OF decentraliza- ]
ion of administration was the appoint {
nent of mayors for the three principal I
tiles of Java. which should help to rem I
er the establishment of municipal insti- q
utiohs a success. The question of the {
OF completely reforming and re- {
nforcing the colony's defense forces has {