Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1922-09-20

I
establishment Of the white rajahs.
Advent Of the Brookes.
This action OF the rajah was so I'M
usual that the governor OF Singapore
and the Singapore chamber Of COM
merce resolved TO recognize his gener-
osity by sending presents and 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 10 be-
come his domain. finding its position
50 much IN error that he was "obliged
TO clip some hundreds OF miles OF hab-
liable land or the charts"
On the 18th Of August he anchored
in the Sarawak river, at the town II
Kuchlng, 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 90 pay only a short visit 10
HaSim on the way; hut he found his
former friend distracted by rebellion
In his country. which he was powerless
90 control. The visitor reluctantly con-
scented 10 give assistance In restoring
order
In return for this service, Hasim
agreed 20 give Mr.. Brooke the govern
ment and trade Of Sarawak. with the
title OF Rajah; Tor Hasim, who was
heir presumptive to the throne Of Bru-
mel, f0resaw his own prestige height
ened y he could return TO Brunei,
leaving Sarawak pacified In Mr..
Brooke's control.
But when Haslm saw his country at
peace as the result OF Brooke's efforts,
he forgot his obligations 90 the visitor
and c0nnlved In a plot against the
latter. This failed. however. and he
was obliged 10 fulfill his agreement
and proclaim Brooke rajah and COVER
nor OF Sarawak In September, 1871.
The Sultan OF Brunei confirmed the
deed given by Hasim and presently
also acknowledged Rajah Brooke's
complete independence.
Raiah Brooke was recognized rs an
independent sovereign by the United
States In 1850 and by Great Britain
In 1868. Sir James Brooke died in
1858, naming as his successor TO the
raj his nephew, Charles Brooke. Sara
wax was made British protectorate
In lSSS.
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 on a white traveller 10 the effect
that. although he seemed 90 be other
wise all right. he did not battle quite
as frequently as they considered nee
essary. They are a fine race physical
" aud delight in personal adornment
In which they show excellent taste 10
the use OF colors Tor the chawat, or
loin cloth. aud for the bead necklaces
and headdresses.
In common with the other tribes OF
BorneO. their houses are long com
munal dwellings built on posts s or Q
feet from the ground, n pasSageway
on one side giving access 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" II is called
the head house" from the fact that
in II 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
10 the chief. occupy rooms on both
sides adjoining. while the rooms ar
each end Of the house are occupied
by the slaves-that Is. the descendants
OF those captured In war.