PUBLIC
RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
TTIC.O. 882
2 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
Mr. Campbell's expedition, Oe- tober 16.
1873.
144
secret preparation having been discovered by Captain Speedy, on the part both of Malays
and Chinese.
On the 6th September the Lieutenant-Governor forwarded papers on the subject to the Government, reporting that he would watch their movements, and that he feared there was much bad feeling abroad, as evidenced by the attempt made a few days before to stab Ho Gee Siew, the Chief of the victorious See Kwan faction (Sin Neng).
On the 24th September the Muntri's steamer, the "Batara Bayu," (obtained from England in November 1871, at a cost of about 25,000 dollars) was seized for debt by a Chinaman named Ming Choey, the leader of the Go Kwans, under the Registrar's order in the absence of the Judge; on appeal the writ was set aside (29th October) on the ground that the cause of action was not shown to have arisen within the Court's jurisdic- tion.
On the 28th September Foo Tye Sin, one of the principal Chinese in Penang, for- warded a petition signed by forty-four Chinese traders representing the case of the defeated party, the Go Kwans (Cheng Sia); this petition directly accused the Muntri of having consented to the proceedings of the Sin Neng faction, adding, "he is said to be a partici pator in the plunder." The same petition, however, admitted" that the Muntri was unable to protect himself or to do anything for the Cheng Sia." The petitioners rated their losses at 300,000 dollars. Their stated object was to claim protection from Government on the ground that "all the miners and the whole of the funds required for mining purposes had been sent from Penang," and "the Perak Government is utterly powerless to afford them protection." To this the same reply was sent as to the many previous petitions, saying that Government could not interfere.
This document appears to have been a sort of announcement from the Go Kwans that they were not going to remain quiet under their grievances, and a few days after their party did, in fact, recommence the disturbances.
On the 16th October Captain Speedy, then Superintendent of Police, reported to the Lieutenant-Governor that a large junk with about 100 men (Chinese) and twelve 4-pounder guns and other arms, had left Penang the previous night with a port clearance for Perak; and several similar junks were said to have preceded it. The Lieutenant-Governor,. believing that "severe fighting was imminent between these vessels and the Chinese faction at present in the ascendant at Laroot, and against the Raja, who favours this faction," determined to go to Laroot in Her Majesty's ship" Nassau." Accompanied by the small steamer "Fair Penang," he started the same night, the 16th, and on the 18th October reported his return. The whole of the previous day (17th) had been spent at the mouth of the river, while Captain Speedy searched for the junks. They were discovered by him and boarded, one proving to be the very junk that had sailed on the 16th. The Lieutenant-Governor reports that they were prepared for action, and "seemed very deter- mined." In this letter the first mention occurs of the Chinese stockades on the bank of the river, which have since given so much trouble. Some Chinamen were observed moving The about on
a tongue of land, which they had cleared and protected by an abattis." junks were not interfered with, but two prisoners were released from the hold of one of the vessels, who said that much fighting and loss of life had already occurred; and that now the See Kwan faction (Sin Neng) were in their turn fleeing to Penang. About 100 wounded men are known to have reached Penang, many of them having been treated in the General Hospital Since then, until the present time, the fighting has continued with but few intermissions; but no direct action was taken by Government during the period between this visit by the Lieutenant-Governor and the Governor's visit in Her Majesty's ship "Thalia" in August 1873. In commenting on the Lieutenant-Governor's proceedings at Laroot, the Governor observed that he should have required the junks to desist from their illegal proceedings, which were in contravention of Sections 125 and 126 of the Penal Code. To make this known to all a Proclamation giving the sections was published in Penang (26th October); warrants were also issued against three persons for fitting out the junks.
As there appeared little prospect of any settlement while fighing material was notoriously supplied from Penang, on the 23rd February an Order in Council was issued prohibiting the exportation of arms and ammunition to Laroot. The course pursued by the Muntri during these disturbances was as follows: until the fighting began he did all in his power to oppose the Go Kwans. He remained at Laroot himself, but through his agent kept the Lieutenant-Governor informed of their preparations; but finding that this time they were the stronger party he refrained from direct opposition. When they had driven out the See Kwans he sided with them openly, going so far as to repudiate the action previously taken by his agent. At his next visit he informed the Lieutenant-Governor that he knew nothing of the junks found by Captain Speedy in the Laroot River.
145
The alliance between the Muntri and the Go Kwans was at the time uot very sincere, and did him little good. He had now on different occasions given offence to both parties, and within a few months he found it expedient to remove altogether from Laroot, having previously resided for some time on board ship.
With this begins the last stage of the Laroot troubles; for from that date to the present time the district has been entirely in the hands of the contending Chinese.
On the 19th February, 1873, the Muntri wrote to the Lieutenant-Governor to state that since he left Laroot he had been living at Krean, and that there he had received news of the pillaging of his house, his words are: "the entire contents of our house have been stolen by the Chinamen, neither can we enter the river of our country, and both sides (Chinamen) have ceased to regard our men, or any Malays, whether from the land or sea: for both sides obtain assistance from Penang. Therefore are they (the Chinese) carrying matters with a high hand, and destroying the country without ceasing. Whomsoever Commencement they catch out at sea near Laroot they plunder invariably; many have been thus served." of Piracies,
This latter statement is amply confirmed by the three cases reported in the Lieutenant- February 1873. Governor's letter of 12th March, of Malay boats attacked by Chinese pirates.
The Governor in reply to the Muntri's letter pointed out that "the Muntri had not followed his advice to adopt the cause of that body of Chinese which appeared to him to be just, but had been ready to acknowledge whatever party was for the tine victorious."
It appears also that the then Senior Naval Officer felt it difficult to interfere between Captain Deni- any "rival factions," as he was "strictly prohibited from interfering with native politics." son, R.N.,
On the 16th May, the Lieutenant-Governor (Colonel Anson) telegraphed that the February 22. Muntri was in great distress for want of arms to protect himself and his people, that he had lost everything, and had adopted the Governor's advice of protecting the rightful faction of Chinese, which faction was meant is not clear.
About this period the Sin Nengs commenced their blockade of the river, and the lawless proceedings necessary to enforce it, which have been continued unchecked up to the present time. This step was followed by a petition from the Go Kwan Chinese on the 27th June, and before long by more hostile proceedings. Attacks were made in Boan's Teo-Chew Settlers at Sungie Gala (7th May, 1873), and Selensing (12th June, 1873), who were supposed to be in alliance with the See Kwans. The Muntri was doing his best for their side. He chartered the steam ship "Fair Malacca," to take provisions through the Sin Neng blockade, and on one of these occasions the Go Kwan junks, acting as lighters to the steamer, were attacked by the Sin Nengs (2nd August) and a pitched battle took place between them in which the "Fair Malacca" herself was fired on.
On the 7th Her Majesty's ship "Midge," having overhauled five of the Go Kwan junks (openly claimed as his by the Muntri) towed them into Penang to account for the marks of fighting found upon them.
The Lieutenant-Governor fearing the disturbances were on the point of spreading to Penang now took active measures to check them. He arranged for an interview between the Rajah Muda, the Muntri and the beadmen of the contending Chinese factions, Ho Gee Siew, and Ah Kwee, and in the presence of all he obtained their signatures to a document by which they agreed that the junks on both sides with their arms and ammunition should surrender to Her Majesty's ship "Midge" which they were all to accompany in person. Eventually Ho Gee Siew, the head of the See Kwan faction refused to leave Penang, and although the others accompanied the "Midge" to Laroot the scheme proved abortive. It does not appear from the Lieutenant-Governor's letter (August 21) and inclosures on this subject that "riots" were meditated. The police reports were to the effect that 3,000 Teoh Chews were about to start from Province Wellesley for Laroot. A few days later the Lieutenant-Governor telegraphed that he feared Kongsee riots.
The Governor himself went up to Penang in consequence, accompanied by Her Majesty ships "Thalia," and "Midge." On the 22nd August he proceeded to the Laroot and adjacent rivers and instituted a thorough search from the Krean to the Dindings. No opposition was met with, but some stockades were found occupied, and two suspicious junks were discovered and taken to Penang. At this point some correspondence took place which has had an important influence on subsequent events. On the 17th the Rajah Muda wrote to say that he was unable to carry out his share of the Agreement. On the 20th he addressed the Governor inveighing against the Muntri, and stating that he bad deposed him from all his titles and privileges in Laroot. Colonel Anson recommended (August 21) that the Muntri should be acknowledged independent ruler of Laroot, and on the 5th September the Governor wrote to the Rajah Muda to say that the Muntri had satisfied him of his claims, and would be so acknowledged. Before the Agreement (10th August) with Colonel Anson was made, the Rajah Muda had written to the
[139]
2 P