CO882-(3-4) — Page 160

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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

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C.O. 882

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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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Whatever may have been the ground upon which Yusuf has hitherto been rejected, I do not think that it would now be desirable to make him Sultan of Perak.

At the same time, I do not think that it would be wise or prudent altogether to ignore his claims. If we did so he might become a troublesome enemy, whereas by enlisting his services in the Government of the country he would remain our friend. Taking into consideration his claims, his character and qualifications, the position that he holds in relation to the British Government, and the present cncumstances of the State of Perak. I consider that the best solution of the case would be to make Yusuf (who is comparatively an old man) Regent, and that we should, meanwhile, train up one of the younger members of the family of the blood royal to become the future Sultan.

The objections to Yusuf as Sultan would not apply to him in the capacity of Regent. A Regnt he would be more likels to feel that he might easily be removed if he made a bal use of his delegated power, and, under the advice and assistance of the Resident, and the proposed Council, he night well be trusted to administer affairs.

19. The muna, whom I would select to educate and train as the future Sultan of Perak, is the eldest son of the present Sultan Abdullah by his wife Rajah Tipah. This boy is about eight years of age, is of royal blood on either side, and appears to possess the capabilities of receiving an education suitable to qualify him for the high post which He would be destined to fill hereafter in Perak. I would propose to train him in the Government Schools at Singapore, where he would have the benefit of obtaining on insight into civilized manners and customs, and of recognizing the advantages which a Country derives from a proper system of government.

Sultan Abdullah has two sons by his wife Tipah, and I would propose to educate both of them at the same time, as to make provision for the possible death or incapacity of the elder boy. I would also encourage the education in Singapore of sons of other Perak Chiefs, with a view to giving them, ni due course, suitable appointments in Perak under the Sultan and Government of that State.

20 I would not restrict any attention to this boy alone.

In thus considering the course which should be adopted for carrying on the Govern- ment of Perak, your Lordship will observe that I have not lost sight of the injunctions xpressed in paragraph 11 of your Lordship's Despatch, "to make the best use of existing materials, and to train up native chiefs to assist in the government of the country."

21. With reference to the proposed mixed Councils of Malay Chiefs and British Officers, although in other States, there are not the same conflicting claims amongst the principal chiefs which originally led me to submit that such a Council should be formed in Perak, it will probably be advantageous, as your Lordship suggests, to establish such Council in each of the Native States, or in each group of contiguous States that can be conveniently treated in combination, and I will give this point my best consideration.

I shall be unable to arrive at a conclusion as to what should be the constitution of the mixed Council in Perak, until I have ascertained what Chiefs of importance are implicated in the outrages

On receipt of the Report of the Commission of Inquiry, I hope to be able to report more fully to your Lordship on this point.

22 I shall also then be in a position to determine what allowances should be paid to those Chiefs, who by their position or appointment would be entitled to payments from the State revenue. At the same time, I would give these Chiefs to understand, as your Lordship desires, that they would forfeit all right to their allowances, should they attempt to exact revenue not legitimately due to them.

1 may observe that the result of the Enquiry, which is at present going on, will, in all probability tend considerably to reduce the Civil List.

23. As regards the functions of the Residents, I have made known to the Officers concerned, the views expressed in your Lordship's Despatch, and have enjoined upon them a strict aduerence to those views.

I can assure your Lordship that I shall not fail to watch carefully the conduct of the Residents, with a desire to ensure due compliance with your Lordship's injunctions.

I should observe, however, and your Lordship doubtless recognises, that the functions of the Resident, as regards the District of Laroot, where the population is almost wholly Chinese, and Malay authority is powerless, must differ to some extent from those which he will exercise in Perak proper, which is mainly inhabited by Malays.

I have given effect to the instructions as to the title of the officers stationed

Perak,

by re-gazetting Messrs. Davidson and Paul, as acting Resident and Assistant Resident.

The appellation of Resident has not been departed from in the case of any other officers now serving in the Malay States.

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24. The fourth point which I have to notice is the question of the withdrawal of the troops from Perak.

It would, I submit, be undesirable to withdraw the troops whilst an investigation into the conduct of the highest native authorities is being proceeded with, and a change of government in the country is pending.

The presence of troops in Perak will much facilitate the progress of the Commission of Inquiry, and of the subsequent trials of prisoners, as the witnesses thereby fee! sure of protection, and are thus more willing to come forward than they would be, were such protection withdrawn.

I will use my best endeavours to give effect to the wish of H.M.'s Government that the troops should be removed from Perak as soon as possible, but I feel sure your Lordship will agree with me, that it would be impolitic to attempt such removal until the police force, which is to supply the place of the troops, has been properly organized and disciplined.

25. This brings me to the consideration of the strength and composition of the proposed police force.

Since the appointment of Mr. Birch, there has always been, as your Lordship is doutless aware, a Resident's guard in Perak. This was composed of about 70 natives

of India, Sikhs and Pataus, and was exclusive of a nuch larger number of the same class of men, who were originally recruited in India, by Captain Speedy, for the service of the Maniri of Laroot, and who, after the termination of hostilities between the Chinese factions in Laroot in 1874, have been employed on police duties. The force has, however, until the last few months, been badly disciplined, owing to its having been without an officer in command who could either speak their language, know their sympathies, or properly direct their movements.

At the time Mr. Birch was murdered at Passir Sala, he had an escort of these men with him quite sufficient, if they had behaved properly, to have beaten off the assailants. They behaved, however, in a cowardly manner, as they did also on the occasion of the first attack on Passir Sala, and this was probably occasioned by their having nobody with a knowledge of their language to command and direct them. Lieutenant Swin- burne, an officer of the 80th Regiment, well acquainted with the Hindustani language, some months ago, at my request, and with the concurrence of the Major-General Commanding, took charge of this guard, in Perak, and has done much to bring the men under a good system of drill and discipline.

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26. A number of these, however, are of low caste, and bad character, and I to keep only the best of them to form the nucleus of the Resident's guard, which should consist of a body of about 200 men. I propose to recruit for the guard from the Seikh police in Laroot, and, if a sufficient number of the class of men required cannot be obtained from this source, to procure from India, with the consent of the Indian Government, Seikhs of good character who have been discharged from the Punjaub Regiments.

In the capacity of body-guard, this force would be employed as sentries at the Residencies, Jails, Treasuries, and other public offices in Perak, for which sort of work they will be very well adapted.

27. They should be under the superintendence of an officer who can speak Hindustani and who can understand their habits and prejudices. He should also be able to speak

Malay. This officer would be responsible to the Resident, and would have charge of the drill, discipline, and general interior economy of the force.

Under the orders of the Superintendent, I would propose to place two or three subordinate officers, who might be obtained from amongst discharged European non- commissioned officers, who have served in India, and have there become acquainted with the Hindustani language.

Serjeants and corporals would be selected from amongst the best behaved and most efficient men of the force.

This guard will, of course, be irrespective of any force which the Native Ruler may find necessary to employ, with reference to the collection of the taxes and carrying on the general administration of the country.

28. The head-quarters of the Seikh guard should be at Qualla Kangsa, where I am of opinion that the Residency should be established, in preference to Bandar Bahrn. An Assistant Resident should, however, be stationed at Bandar Bahrn, and another in Laroot as at present. Besides being much easier of communication with Penang, and, therefore with Singapore, Qualla Kangsa is in the centre of Perak. A road, about 27 miles long, has already been made between it and the mouth of the Laroot River, which is only seven hours distant from Penang, and a telegraph line has been laid along tuis