The Dutch troops have landed near Acheen, under cover of
the fire of the fleet, and without very severe loss, the Malays, no' doubt, objecting to shells they could not throw back. The troops were in good condition, though cholera had appeared among them, and the Dutch Colonial Minister has formally denied a. report that the force had suffered severely, or even been repulsed by an audacious night attack. Unfortunately, he added that he had taken steps to prevent news being forwarded from Penang in advance of his own mails, a remark which must have some esoteric meaning. Is he going to hang the editor of the Penang Gazette, or prevent our traders in Sumatra from telling anybody anything, or cut the telegraph, or what ? We wish the Dutch every success, for Sumatra is at present a splendid country lost to civilisation, but the Colonial Minister will find it easier to conquer the island than to prevent Englishmen from knowing what goes on during the process. Statesmen stronger than be have tried that policy, but somehow, the fishes always brought the news. He may mean that the Governor in Singapore has given the order, but who made him owner of the submarine. cable ? or what is his wrath worth against the persuasions of Faiglish merchants?
Previous page
