Page 547

519

Page 547

276

The small force of cavalry is divided into four field and one depôt squadron, the depôt squadron Appendix No. 9. rather the strongest.

The field artillery has four field (armed with probably S-centim. rifled breech-loaders) and four mountain (4 to 8-centim. ditto) batteries, strength 170 and 112 men each class of battery; the seven fortress batteries have about 100 men each; there are, besides, certain mixed and garrison batteries at various outlying stations, armed with probably 12 and 16-centim. rifled breech-loaders and some 24-centim. The numbers given include those in charge of matériel.

The detailed distribution of these forces will be given in describing the number of troops occupying the various provinces and coast towns, but the general principle may be here stated. The mass of the field army is collected in Java, but each district has, according to its importance and state of tranquillity, a permanent garrison, which, as circumstances require, is reinforced by field troops dispatched from Java. Thus in 1879 the force occupying Achin consisted of its own garrison battalion of 2,000 men, with two garrison batteries and six field battalions, about 3,000 men, and one field battery, and one squadron of cavalry of the field army.

But the armed strength of Java cannot be considered as limited to the regular army; there are many other contingents which add to its available strength:-

1. The landed troops of the naval forces. No fixed numbers can be given; they must depend on circumstances, but we shall see later the strength of the navy.

2. The "Schutterijen." In Java all Europeans (but there are many causes of exemption) from 16 to 44 belong to the "Schutterij.”

The Schutterij" in Java in 1880 appear to have numbered about 1,900, distributed among the principal places; of these, 1,300 Europeans, many however half-castes. They do not, as a class, appear to take great interest in shooting. Since 1872-73 they have been armed with rifles. During war they have taken up the guards of such places as Batavia, Cheribon, and Soerabaia.

The beyond Java "Scutterij" exist at Padang, Makassar, Menado, Ternate, Banda, and some places of Amboina, and there is a company of Europeans at Koepang; they amount in all to about 3,000 men; the great majority are natives; 1,000 in 1880 had only pikes.

As many as 1,200 of this force from the Molukkas alone have performed general service, 500 from Menado against pirates, &c.

3. The native legions of Principalities of Soerarata and Djokjokarta. They are regularly organized troops. The former now 900 men, of whom 150 cavalry and artillery; the latter 500, 30 cavalry. These legions have done essential service; the former in 1825-30 supplied 1,200 men; the latter sent 100 men to Achin.

4. European dragoons, lifeguards of native Princes, now included in the cavalry.

33

5. "Barisans of the Regent of Madura; in 1880, 2,250 men, of whom about 400 artillery, 150 cavalry, 250 pioneers. These troops have afforded great assistance; in 1825-30 they supplied 3,000 men.

There are among them about twenty European officers and instructors; they are for the most part armed with breech-loaders.

6. "Djajangsekars" of Java, now numbered with the cavalry.

7. "Pradjoerits" of Java; native infantry for service in their own province, but available, if required, elsewhere; 2,000 men, with about 50 Europeans, scattered over 59 posts in 17 provinces. They have been armed with breech-loaders since 1870.

8. Native police, soldiers-

Batavia, 200; Bekoelen, 130; Lampongs, 130; Palembang, 300; Riow-Ligga, 80; West Borneo, 30; Celebes, 90; Timor, 120.

9. Corps of native pikemen, about 200 to 300 at Batavia, and about equal numbers at Padang and Banda, but numbers uncertain.

10. The police (native), armed with sabres, horse and foot; they belong to the armed strength, and have, in case of risings, the same duties as the army; present strength, with European officials in Java, 1,000; in the Regencies and districts, 3,800; in the foreign provinces, with European officials, 1,200.

11. Corps of armed Chinamen. They are bound to guard their own parish and town in time of disorder; numbers unknown.

In existence at Padang and Koepang; in theory all able-bodied Chinamen; are liable. 12. The frontier guards at Timor.

All these assist the regular army, by making them more completely available for field work; the totals from 2 to 9 may be reckoned at not less than 13,000 men.

But this by no means exhausts the available strength of Java; there are still:-

13. The Europeans not before included, who will volunteer, bringing with them some of the people on their estates.

14. The Europeans who are bound by law to aid in time of danger.

15. All the native allies, who have amounted to several thousands at various periods.

16. The coolies and other Government servants.

17. The prisoners in the gaols; they have done good service at various times; in April 1876 there were 2,400 engaged in Achin, chiefly as labourers, but several hundred as armed men. Formerly prisoners in Holland were allowed to volunteer for the Indian army.

Strength and Distribution of the Dutch East Indian Navy.

The Dutch East Indian navy, like the army, is composed of a great variety of elements, as follows:-

(a.) The war marine proper, which again is divided into auxiliary squadron, attached from home, and the colonial marine.

NETHERLANDS,

Page 547

Page 547

Page 547

Share This Page