The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1924-04-16

prepared by tho National Geographic So
cisty Washington. D. CO.
Sumatra, fourth largest island II
the world outside the frozen polal
regions, although extremely fertile
and rich In resources, is not nearly 81
well developed as Java, its smaller
neighbor among Hollands huge east
ern colonies. These islands lie in
the heart Of the tropics where weather
and vegetation conspire under or.
binary circumstances to make man q
lazy, happy-go-lucky creature, willing
to take things as they come and like
ly to look upon labor as quite IN
necessary pastime. In Java, however,
30 great has become the pressure of
population, the people must work like
beavers, and they have made their
Island a garden spot Sumatra has
only about 100000 inhabitants in its
10000 square miles and there the
sluggishness toward development that
the tropics tends to breed Is evident
The fact, too, that Summaries natives
are nearer savagery and that they
Dutch masters has held the island
back.
But as Java's population becomes
more pressing, Sumatra looms up near
by as land of greater and greater
promise, and despite savage tenden-
cies, Dutch control and Dutch capital
are becoming more firmly settled in
hn c1 nd
pecially taking the form Of establish
ment of great rubber and tobacco plan
tations The warlike Sumatrans are
not available for labor, and In the
development Of the country practically
all the labor has to be imported on
short-term contracts. Chiefly It is
Chinese, which Is expensive; King.
which is viewed with disfavor by the
British Indian government, or Java
nese. which is unwilling to come and
does not thrive In the climate.
The tribulations Of labor contrac-
tor from the time Of collecting his
gang to their final delivery in Suma-
ira are legion and, to one disinterest-
ed, very amusing.
cally a fair laborer, but neither very |
ambitious nor reliable. He likes his
feast days, his rice harvesting, his lit
tie comforts and luxuries, and is not |
eager to forego them for the uncertain
inducements Of foreign lands But his
mind is receptive and the clever con-
tractor, terrifying It with well-chosen
r;a 80 rtI, hoy
thing the coolies fears and objections.
is often able to secure his contract by
the timely offer Of new sarong (the
chief article Of dress worn In the Ma
lay archipelago) and perhaps a
months wages In advance.
Woes Of the Labor Contractor.
But here the contractors troubles
begin. Unless carefully guarded. the
coolies enthusiasm Is very apt to
vane, and the moment for departure
arrives with coolie. new sarong and
months wages unaccounted for.
Even when safely gathered on board
hip and the coast of Java has been
sunk, there remains still to be cleared
he intervening port Of Singapore
There, In disguise, willy touts for the {
dalayan coolie brokers smuggle them
elves aboard, no matter how vigilant s
he ships officers may be, for labor is S
in demand. With much
stuteness they proceed to poison the {
minds of the already frightened Suma- &
Javanese. r
"Sumntra? A country of tigers and
erocious savages who eat nothing but 8
oolies; cold land, where there Is
10 sun, no rice; where laborers are IN T
aid, cruelty treated, and whence they v
arely return" n
So the tout whispers on. adding ter d
or to their premonitions refuting all b
hat the contractor had said. and in a
he end offering to aid In their imme- A
late escape from the horrible fate In
tore to the tempting security of for a
lne and happiness in the Malay Il
tates. Il
Strict watch is kept over the ship 1,
lille in Singapore, but scarcely trip n
tnkeQ that few Of those under con- Il