DANGEROUS JOBS.

--JAVANESE SOLDIERS.--

--QUELLING DISTURBANCES.--

--CAVALRYMEN IN AUCKLAND.--

A most unusual sight in Queen Street to day was a party of Javanese cavalrymen. This is the first time soldiers of the kingdom of the Netherlands have visited New Zealand. The eight troopers concerned are on their way to Sydney to take charge of over 100 remounts for the Netherlands Indies Army. The men are under the command of Corporal Laheh, but at Sydney will he met by two Netherlands Indies cavalry officers, and a Netherlands Indies army veterinary surgeon. The men are making the round trip aboard the Maetsuycker.

Although none of these cavalrymen has been engaged in actual war service, they are called upon to perform various dangerous duties. For instance, recently there was a serious disturbance among natives in Netherlands Borneo. A mixed military force was dispatched from Java, ready for a minor war, but the mere presence of a Netherlands Indies force comprising cavalry, infantry and air force secured the submission of the natives without a shot being fired.

Source of Trouble.

The principal danger spot in the Netherlands Indies is the sultanate of Atchin, in the northern part of Sumatra. This was once British territory, but it was exchanged for Singapore, and the Dutch have never forgiven the British. The people of Atchin have been a source of trouble ever since.

Frequently the people of this sultanate make raids on adjoining Government outposts, raids which are prompted by their proud spirit and opposition to domination by another country. However, the Dutch principal is not to make war on them. They station forest outposts comprising a Dutch officer and probably one cavalryman and one infantryman. When a raid occurs these men follow the jungle trail, and, like the Canadian Mounted Police, "get their man" without the necessity of plunging the countryside into war. In this manner the Dutch are pacifying the few isolated areas which still object to their overlordship.

Excellent Soldiers.

Practically all the cavalrymen are recruited from the Ambonese of the south. These men are taller and stronger than the people of Java and Sumatra and make excellent soldiers. They have been employed in fighting all over the Netherlands Indies, which stretch from Singapore to Australia. Many, of the best fighting men come from the island of Timor, just off the coast of Australia.

Owing to the nature of the country, the operations of the Javanese cavalrymen are naturally somewhat restricted. Except on the flat areas of Sumatra, the mountains and jungles prevent the effective use of cavalry. In these areas cavalry is chiefly used for the transport of mountain batteries.

The Javanese cavalrymen who visited Auckland to-day were delighted with their" experience and the kindness extended to them here, but they are apprehensive of the situation in the Far East and are keen to get back to their regiment. (Credit to: Auckland Star Newspaper, Wednesday, 17 Nov 1937)

The Pepper War in Sumatra

PENANG, Straits of Malacca, June 4.--One of the Dutch men-of-war cruising off the north coast of Sumatra fired into three British merchant vessels as they were leaving the harbor of Atchien. The Atchinese have sent messengers to this place asking for assistance. The coolies here are already enlisting in their service. If the Dutch persist in the war they will meet with stronger resistance than ever. The pepper plantations of North Sumtra are going to ruin in consequence of drafting the laborers into the ranks of the Atchinese army.

Published : NASHVILLE UNION AND AMERICAN, THURSDAY, JUNE 5, 1873

KILL MANY ACHINESE

Associated Press Cable to the Star.

AMSTERDAM, August 12.-- A special cable has been received by the Government from the Governor General of Sumatra, announcing the result of a bloody battle between the Dutch government forces and a large body of warriors from the Achinese tribe. A pitched battle was fought. Three hundred of the Achinese forces were killed, seven Dutch soldiers were killed and 50 were wounded, including several officers. 

It is thought that this blow which the government forces have in flicted upon the Achinese, will have a salutatory effect in restrain ing them from further operations against the Dutch. The Achinese have been persistently struggling against the Dutch government for many years in Sumatra.

Published : The Hawaiian Star., Honolulu, Wednesday, August 12, 1903

A BATTLE IN SUMATRA.

More than 500 Achinese Killed by Dutch—Troops Losses Small

Amsterdam. April 2. – A dispatch to the “The Telegraph” form the island of Sumatra to-day announced that a column of Dutch troops operating in Achin, Nothern Sumatra, engaged a strong, intrenched body of Achinese in the Gajoeloeas district, with the result that 541 Achinese were killed. The Dutch lost three men killed and had twenty-five men wounded.

Published : New-York Tribune, Sunday, April 03, 1904

BLOODY MARKS OF PIRATES

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Particulars of the Looting of the Steamer Pegu.

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HAD KNIVES FOR WEAPONS

Officers of the Steamer Attacked While at Dinner-- The Chief Engineer Escaped, But the Captain Is Cat Down Several Passengers Killed and Many Wounded.

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San Francisco, Aug. 21. The steamer Coptic, winch arrived today, brings from Hong Kong the first details of the looting and killing on the steamer Pegu by Chinese pirates on the Penang coast on July 8. Eleven Achinese men and one woman boarded the steamer at Erie, one or the stopping places, where pepper was taken on. Capt. Ross, according to custom, searched the men for weapons, but did not search  the woman. She carried under her Malay attire knives with which the bloody work was done.

While the captain and Chief Engineer Cragie were at dinner, six armed Achinese burst into the saloon and attacked them. The orficers were unarmed and defended themselves with chairs, but were terribly slashed about the hands and arms. Both succeeded in reaching the deck. Cragie made his way to the engine-room, where he bolted the door and was safe.  He wis not badly hurt. The captain then sprang on deck, when he was attacked by one on the Achinese with a carving knife, taken from the table, and was literally disemboweled. As he fell the others hacked him with their knives, and he soon breathed his last. The pirates then attacked the mate and steersman and cut them down on the bridge.

On the deck two more passengers were slain. The pirates ran among the Chinese,hacking and slashing right and left. They wounded fifteen and drove several over board.

Having terrorized the passengers they thoroughly looted the vessel and ran her near  to shore. The safe was opened and $15,000 taken. Boats were then lowered and the pirates made off -with the booty.

When the steamer reached Telak, the wounded were taken ashore. The vessel's deck looked like a charnal-house, being spattered with blood of the slaughtered victims.

Capt. Ross had been in the Malay trade for fourteen years. Twice before he had been attacked by Chinese pirates, but he was fearless. The vessel was attacked and looted once before in the same place, the weapons in this case being smuggled on board in bedding.

Published : The Times, Sunday Morning, August 22, 1897