The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1922-09-14

led to his great work there and the
establishment of the white rajuhs.

led to his great work there and the
establishment of the white rajuhs.
Advent of the Brookes.
This action of the rajah was so I'M
usual that the governor of Singapore
and the Singapore chamber Of con
merce resolved to recognize his gener-
osity by sending presents and q letter
of thanks. James Brooke, the son Of
Thomas Brooke of the East India com
pany's civil service, was chosen to car
~ out this mission. He sailed from
Singapore in July, surveyed parts of
the coast of what was destined to be-
come his domain, finding it's position
so much in error that he was Obliged
to clip some hundreds of miles of hab-
liable land off the charts"
On the 18th of August he anchored
in the Sarawak river, at the town OF
Kuching, where he was well received
by Hasim. After six weeks he de-
parted, greatly to the regret of Hasim.
whose confidence he had won.
Mr.. Brooke again sailed from Singa-
pore on August Is, 1910, for Manila,
intending to pay only a short visit to
Hasim OF the way but he found his
former friend distracted by rebellion
in his country, which he was powerless
TO control. The visitor reluctantly con-
scented to give assistance in restoring
order.
In return for this service, Hasim
agreed to give Mr.. Brooke the govern
ment and trade of Sarawak, with the
title of Rajah; for Hasim, who was
heir presumptiye to the throne of Bru-
mel, foresaw his own prestige height
cred If he could return to Brunei,
leaving Sarawak pacihed in Mr..
Brooke's control.
But when Hasim saw his country at
peace as the result of Brooke's efforts,
he forgot his obligations to the visitor
and connived In a plot against the
latter. This failed, however, and he
was obliged to fulfill his agreement
and proclaim Brooke rajah and COVER
nor of Sarawak In September, 1S41.
The Sultan Of Brunei confirmed the
deed given by Hasim and presently
also acknowledged Rajah Brooke's
complete independence.
Rajah Brooke was recognized as an
independent sovereign by the United
States In 1850 and by Great Britain
in 1863. Sir James Brooke died In
1868. naming as his successor TO the
raj his nephew, Charles Brooke. Sara
wax was made a British protectorate
in 1888.
What the People Are Like.
With most of the Sarawak tribes,
personal cleanliness Is the rule, and
the Dayaks have been known to COM
ment IN a white traveller TO the effect
that, although he seemed to be other
wise.all right, he did not battle quite
as frequently as they considered nec-
essary. They are a fire race physical
ly and delight in personal adornment,
In which they show excellent taste In
the use Of colors for the chawat, or
loin cloth, and for the bead necklaces
and headdresses.
In common with the other tribes OF
Borneo. their houses are long COM
munal dwellings built on pests s or 0
feet from the ground, a p~assageway
on one side giving recess to the rooms.
each Of which is occupied by one family.
The Land Dayaks, unlike the other
tribes. also build a square house on
very high posts. considerably above the
level of the long house" 1t is called
the head house" from the fact that
in 1t are kept the heads which they
have taken from their enemies.
There are three fairly well defined
social classes in the Kayan house
The upper class. comprising the chief
and his relatives, occupy rooms in the
middle Of the long house; the middle
class. whose members are not related
to the chief. occupy rooms on both
sides adjoining. while the rooms at
each end Of the house are occupied
by the siaves-thar is. the descendants
Of those captured in war.