The L'Anse sentinel., 1923-11-02

their masters. This system Of forced
labor has been greatly modified In re-
cent years, and now survives only In
connection with some or the govern
ment coffee plantations.
Coffee No Longer Important.
To most of us, doubtless, the one
agricultural product of Java which Is
in the way Of dlsiluslon to learn,
therefore. that the famous Govern
ment Java" of bygone days is Of much
less Importance as a product of the
colony than formerly. A destructive
"blight" visited many Of the planta-
tions some years since. Some districts
were slow In recovering from this, and
meantime the coffee planters of Brazil
captured the bulk of the worlds cof-
fee trade.
Hollands Javan subjects are most
ly Of Malayan stock; but situated at
the "gate" Of great world highway,
II is natural that they have received
considerable admlxture of other
blood. There are strains of the Poly
nesian. Mongolian, Portuguese. Hindu
and Arab. Most Of the natives are
nominally Mohammedans, but they
lack the fanaticlsm and strictness OF
many Of that cult. Holy days are not
observed strictly, pork Is widely con-
sumed, and there Is little secluslon Of
women.
The early culture of Java can be
traced to India, and there Is no doubt
that this Hindu influence had the
greatest effect on the religion, Ian
guage and literature of the island.
At the present time this influence
is evidenced not only In the lam
guage and arts of the country. but by
the great temples erected to Buddha.
One Of these, known an "Great
Buddha." or "Boro Boedoer." Is by
many considered to be the greatest
monument Of Buddhistic architecture
In existence The Arab Mohammedan
invasion occurred In the latter part
Of the Fifteenth century, and when
the Dutch began to extend their set
Seventeenth century, they found the
faith of Islam extended to most parts
Of the island.
For the purposes Of government, the
island Is divided into % residences
under the control Of governor gem
eraE who lives In Buitenzorg, a hill
station near Batavia. Each province
has It's resident, who is assisted BY
various subordinates. In their deal
ings with the natives the Dutch find
It expedient to collect the taxes and
administer the government through an
army Of native officials. Thus native
princes fill the office of regent in some
Of the provinces and play" at ruling,
but all real power rests with the for
eign rulers, who are called "eldef
brothers"
Climate Wet and Trying,
Lying 50 close to the equator, the
climate IL a trying one to Europeans,
although the style of dress In use and
the manner Of life do much to miti-
gate It. The rainy season lasts from
October to April. and at all times
showers may be expected. One soon
learns that Java Is a country of early
rising. The ordinary business man
has finished his coffee and ls at his
shop or Office by 8 a. m. Between 8
and o'clock all Europeans endeavor
to keep indoors. The midday meal 10
taken between 1 and 2. and fashion
able society does not bestir itself un-
til after 8 o'clock, when driving and
visiting Ii In order until 8 or 8 o'clock
whcN dinner Is served.
| The ancient city Of Batavia, metrop-
oils Of Java. IL grim, time-worn place,
with many warehouses and govern
ment buildings grouped amid the In
tersecting canals It IL said to b
unhealthy. and 10 wholly given over
TO commercial interests. But driving
on clean, well-kspt roads for two
miles along canals suggesting Holland
one reaches the modern residential
suburb a wsltsvrsdsn with tn broad
avenue facing the Koniesplein. Z
lgrsat green pa1de ground, with it,
Ibofdes1ng streets shaded By rows 0f
famarind trees. Facing this extensive,
park aso NUMEROUS neat villas built -
! ~ bungalow style, often smboworod
h cool foliaGs. ths homo Of active an0
retirsd o6lelalA army o1lcers phase
~ an1 businss and peu6sn1iona1
men who - 10 make % ~ Whlto
| Dopolation a ~ capital E
Java W. nsvor olEocooo - IL ~
bulenf p1Rate ennplroo thae Nd sunv
n ~ ln1on6s q 1eelo nrl1or % ~
- o. ao&1~r,n ~ r>,&o ~ ..u>uo.n.>