The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-05-02
DUTCH NATIVES
 OF EAST INDIES AFRAID OF LAPS
Deputation Waits on Queen of Holland to Urge More
 Adequate Defence.

The Hague, Netherlands, April 30.- A deputation of natives from the Dutch East Indies waiting on the Queen of Holland to represent the ne- cessity of more adequate defense of their country was an unusual incident recently witnessed at the royali palace.
 A deputation of five natives and two Europeans, made the long passage from Java to the mother country to lay before her Majesty, her ministers and Parliament the text of a resolu- ton on this subject passed at a big popular demonstration at Batavia, Sourabaya and numerous other cen- ters.
 The leader of the deputation sug- vanese prince representing the nobil- ity. leading dignitary who speaks for the high native official class, a delegate fo the native and Mos1em so- ciety, the Sarekat Islam, with its d. 250,000 members, and two; other. rep resentatives of native societies. This little party has been received with ev- cry mark of respect; it has been pre- sented to the Queen, the queen moth er, and members of the government.
 The leader of tn deputation sug- gests that a sum equivalent to $40O,- 0O0,00O should be borrowed, half by Holland and half by the East Indies, out. of which the former should pay for the building of eight armored crui- sers, while the latter would see to the equipment of the required naval base, the supply of submarines, torpedo-de- stroyers, mine-layers, coastal defense, and the organization of a militia with officers training colleges and munition factories.
 Abdul Muis, the representative of the Sarekat Islam, brought definite de- mands formulated by those whose en- voy he is. He said in substance: we are ready to cooperate in forming a native militia to defend our country against Japan, whose domination would be far more undesirable than that of Holland; but in return you must introduce drastic reforms, so- cial, economic and political, and make Dutch India state ruled in the inter- ests of and by the natives under Hol- lands leadership"
 If the Indian supports the Holland CT, this is purely for his own native interest" declared Abdul Muis to an interviewer. .'The great danger lies in Japanese domination. Even during IllIS wal, IL oCOiilS, luS Jdpdu6SG gov ernment entertained certain plans in respect of the Netherlands East In-. dies, and only the intervention of the United States and Great Britain pre- vented their realization"
 In her reply. Queen Wilhelmina | pointed out that the common bond between Holland and the Netherlands East Indies serves to promote the vel | fare of both, and it's maintenance is an Indian interest.
 While the powers-that-be are thus
 non on-committal in regard to counter
 concessions, leading journals point out
 that Holland recognizes the rights of
 the natives and already has entered upon the path leading to self-gov- 1 erning institutions. the latest step be- 1 ing the law to establish a consultative National Council.
 Dutch statesmen believe the ward ship of the Netherlands East Indies must last for a long time yet The
 population Is, politically, very far be- l hind. the peoples of the Philippines
 Hundreds of different languages are | spoken, and hundreds of different peoples go to make up the 45,000,00O inhabitants of this extensive archipel-
 ago. Nevertheless, all the languages
 and peoples belong to the Malay-Po1y-
 nesian group, and no one denies that unity is attainable.