Brighouse & Rastrick Gazette. — 1892-05-28 (Brighouse, West Yorkshire, England)

THE MURDERS IN PAHANG.  EUROPEANS SHOT DOWN IN A JUNGLE.  Details of the troubles at Pahang are at hand. Some three or four years ago, in consequence of the murder of a European in Pahang, the British Government insisted on a resident official being acknowledged and accepted at the capital by the Sultan. Up to this time mines had been worked in the Sultan's territory, a royalty being pail to the Sultan, whose interest it was, of course, to protect and foster these industries as an important source of revenue. No money, however, was forthcoming to spend upon the country, no telegraphs have been erected, or railways, or roads made, so that the Malay sees no return for his circumscribed liberties. This will be better understood and appreciated when it is remembered that Pahang is a huge jungle, impenetrable to Europeans, the only highroad to it being a shallow, meandering river. The Sultan, some time ago, withdrew into the interior. The general body of Malays have been anti-foreign in their sympathies from the beginning, and now that several of their great heal men have displayei; open hostility it is feared that serious results will ensue. The Orang-liiali, who was supposed to hays been suppressed, is again giving trouble, and Messrs. Ilarris and Stewart, two Europeans, while collecting timber in the jungle for their saw-mills, were murdered. Mr. Smith, who was near them, managed to make his escape in a canoe after an exciting chase. The Resid,nt was with the Sultan at the time, and it is said that the Sultan hats throughout encouraged the rebels while promising to suppress them. It is now doubtrul, however, is he could do so even if he wished, as To Rajah, who can command more men than the Sultan, if very hostile to the English. There are many Europeans at remote points up the river, and great anxiety is felt on their account, as they are known to be short of food and to be exposed to great dangers. Stockades have been built as rallying points in case of attack at most of the settlements, and the arrival of the gunboats Plover and Rattier has done much to restore confidence on the coast, although it is recognised that further up the river the danger is very great. Bodies of police are being drafted from Perak and Singapore, and Captain Duff has gone up the river in a steamboat with food, and to try to relieve some of the Europeans, but as only ten native policemen could be spared to accompany him it is felt that his venture is attended with considerable risk. Captain Byrne, R.M.L.1., has supervised the construction of stockades at Perak, and Lieutenant Jennings, RA., has given valuable assistance at Quala Limpis, higher up the coast. The cruiser Hyacinth was expected at Pahang when the mail left for England, and correspondent states that about 120 officers and men were ready and anxious to land, although the intense heat and the jungle fevers made such an expedition anything but desirable. The Malays, he adds, do not fight—they shoot through the jungle and run or build stockades by the river and take pot shots at those who come within range. Stores of all kinds have been purchased at Singapore in readiness for landing, and Admiral Fremantle was present at a council of war held in that town. Owing to the unsettled state of affairs large gangs of robbers are prowling about the country, and succeeded a short time since in burning down IL treat part of ,Quala  1011$1, It IV