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fitted up with conveniences a few hours steaming would convey the sick to the hospitals. If a blow can be struck the operations may terminate; if prolonged, then a cautious and safe system must be carried on, the jungle cleared so as to deprive the Malays of that cover, which enables them to contend with regular troops. To do this you need two to four companies of the admirable Madras Native Sappers. These men understand jungle clearing and work under fire. The Chinese if well paid, and kept out of reach of the fire, will work well in rear of the sappers. The Malays behind stockades and covered by jungle will stand against our beat European troops; look at New Zealand when the 43rd Regiment suffered so seriously, but neither Burmen nor Malays will stand in the cleared path even against Native Infantry. There is no other course than that of cutting off the protection which the great trees of Malay land furnish. I earnestly hope that our troops will not be destroyed by assaults on stockades. The most effectual fire is that of shells from small mortars (5 inch), easily moved by hand; the shells terrify far more than they destroy, the jungle is vacated, and stockades emptied by shells falling amongst the Malays. No doubt if the navy can convey a few heavy guns to attack stockages these will be most effective, and useful results would doubtless follow from such a fire.

The Chinese are both numerous and really powerful in that part of the Peninsula, & good officer well acquainted with their language, if the Foreign Office could spare such an officer, would be very useful amongst that class. I have long looked forward to the Malay land being occupied by Chinese. I believe that it would be wise and right to establish the Chinese with municipal rights, quite independent of the Malays; all that this industrious people want is external protection, so as to be able to carry on their in- dustries without molestation from the Malays. The Malay race is not great. I have passed over fine lands beyond Malacca territory without an inhabitant; the country needs Chinese for trade, cultivation, and mining. So long as we had the old quiet in the Straits, and which terminated with the government of General Cavanagh, we might have abstained from mixing in Malay politics, but from the hour Sir A. Clarke established a Resident at Perak the old sleepy policy was at an end. You cannot now draw back, you cannot stand still, and the only solution of our complications is active and decided enforcement of our power. It is therefore of the first necessity to reconcile the disputes between the two parties of Chinese, so cunningly created by the Malays by giving double mining claims to different bodies of Chinese, then establish the Chinese in villages, more or less defended, and make them elect chiefs to be responsible to our officers, finally declare the Chinese settlers and their rights to be under British protection, these disturbances are favourable for opening up this land, hitherto it has been less known than some parts of Africa. I only know of one person who has crossed the Peninsula to the Gulf of Siam, and he went from Malacca. It would be useful to open out communication by land from the Straits to the East Coast. The construction of roads, the navigation of the many streams in that part of the Peninsula, and the habit of frequently showing our officers by passing through the villages, would all be useful to establish our authority. The presence of this large force should also be made known by a march in every direction, stockades and defences likely to obstruct us, or to give ideas of independence should all be destroyed. In fact our power should not only be scen but felt. Then again large rewards should be offered for the apprehension of all who have taken an active part in the murder and outbreak, all should be declared criminals and outlawed as violators of guaranteed agreements. Such breaches of faith towards the British power should be denounced by words and acts which will make an impression.

It is the practice of Mussulmen to declare the Jehad, or holy war against infidels, and the Malays have cried this usual cry. It is not to be disregarded, but it ought not to be made too much of. Probably some Arabs who have made the pilgrimage, and claim to be descendants of the Prophet, may be (as they were formerly at Malacca) in that part of Malay. If they have gone against us it would be useful to seize them, and send them back to Arabín, or to order them to proceed to Arabia on pain of punishment for disobedience; the Arabs are fond of money and collect it under cover of their holy character. Fear for their worldly possessions will keep them quiet. If an example is made of one of these holy men, the others will be quiet in future. The changes in feeling towards our power, since I first went to Singapore, are very remarkable: the Malays have always been fond of trade, and the wealth created by our settlements in the three places in the Straits have shown how they can be benefited.

Some time ago, as a shareholder in the British Indian Steam Navigation Company, I read some remaikable papers about the extension of these Straits trade, and the company had some notion of sending their steamers to two or more ports between Penang and

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Malacca, and I think that Perak was one of the new ports. It would be useful to induge steamers to visit these places, either the British India Steam Company, or any other trading company. The more completely our power is seen and felt, and the more civilizing influences are brought to bear on the Malays, the more readily will they submit to our authority. Besides the marked divisions amongst the Malays of different states, and the almost impossible power of combination amongst the states ought to give us strength. The assassination of Mr. Birch is to me very unexpected. appearances of personal vengeance which puzzle; the Malays have been treacherous to the Dutch but not to the English. I accompanied our Malacca Assistant Resident, the civil officer in 1828, into the interior of Malacca; all the Dutch at Malacca assured me that the Malays would crease me. I merely had my native orderly, but everywhere we were well received. This was the first visit for many years, of Europeans, to that part of the country, and the first since great treachery had been shown to Dutch officers who were creased. My belief is that English officers are in favour with Malays; at least this assassination is only the second within one hundred years. This consideration induces me to mention that military officers have been largely employed in the Straits, and Madras infantry officers have been readily available at moderate salaries. The language is simple, probably 1,100 words are quite sufficient for writing and speaking. The written character is the Arabic, well known to most Indian army officers. I certainly would have employed a military officer instead of a civilian, as Resident at Perak, he would most likely have been a sportsman, fond of guns, and with ways and demeanour suited to the Malay character; besides a soldier would have had more respect paid to his profes- sional ways.

I certainly should have deemed Mr. Birch far too high a civilian for the office. I beg of you to look at the way we used to appoint even subalterns to important positions in India, as Residents, Assistant Residents, at the courts of native princes. I remember a young lieutenant of my regiment of artillery being left as Resident at the Court of the Nizam, for 18 months; I believe a captain of native infantry would have been quite equal to the position of Resident at Perak; by mixing freely with Chinese and Malays, making no fuss or trouble, taking no offence, but gradually by remonstrating and keeping things right, be would most likely have succeeded in upholding our influence. There are many other points to which I might ask your attention, but it

may say that the weather is now suitable, pleasant in some respects, and if energy be brought to bear on the opposition, we may bope to see the affair brought to a close before long.

SIR,

Enclosure 2. in No. 70.

Yours, &c.

suffice to

(Signed) G. BALFOUR.

COLONIAL OFFICE to SI G. BALFOUR.

Downing Street, December 2, 1875.

I AM directed by the Earl of Carnarvon to express to you his Lordship's thanks for the letter which you addressed to Mr. Lowther respecting affairs on the Malay Peninsula on the 18th ulto., and to state that your suggestious will be brought under the notice of the Governor of the Straits Settlements.

No. 71.

I have, &c. (Signed)

R. H. MEADE.

Telegram from the EARL OF CARNARVON to Governor Sir W. JERVOIS. (Sent 6.30 p.m., December 10, 1875.)

I HAVE received your telegram December 3rd, reporting apprehension of further rising about Malacca and Sungie Ujong, and requesting authority for additional troops from India if applied for, also your subsequent telegram of 9th,† saying you think accounts much exaggerated. I had arranged for more troops if absolutely necessary, but now hope you will not require them; have therefore requested India Office to withhold instructions to President of Council. In reply to your telegram of 23rd November‡ and

• No. 67.

38987.

↑ No. 68.

K

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