THE DUTCH IN SUMATRA.

Globe, Volume V, Issue 549, 22 March 1876, Page 3

THE DUTCH IN SUMATRA.

The Pall Mall Gazette says :—According to the latest accounts from Sumatra, the third Dutch expedition against Atchin was about to commence operations, though, asthe military contributor of the Cologne Gazette remarks, the season for active hostilities, wh-'ch lasts from the end of October to the end of April, is somewhat far advanced. The most favorable point of attack is stated to be Koerwing Rabla, on the western coast, from which place the position occupied by the Atchinese on the mountain ridge beyond the Kraton might be taken in the rear. The Dutch look upon this ridge, which is a' r out twelve kilometres from the Kraton, as a most important strategical centre, the occupation of which by their troops would finally decide the war in their favour. The writer in the Cologne Gazette, however, thinks it probable that the present expedition will not attempt anything more than to recover the posil ions in the plain between the Kraton and the heights which have been conquered by the Atchinese, so as in some degree to secure the headquarters of the Dutch army against the danger of being surrounded by their enemies. How difficult this task is likely to be is si:own by the events of the campaign of 187*. Bpsides the garrison of the Kraton—which consisted of two and a half battalions under Colonel Pel, an eight centimetre horsebattery, and a company of garrison artillery —four complete battalions, and two horse batteries were concentrated on the coast; yet with this force of nearly 0000 men, the Tutch were finally compelled to abandon to the enemy nearly one-half of the territory they had conquered. The Dutch blockading squadron at that time consisted of one screw steamer of the first class, three of the second, andsixof the third, two iron paddle steamers, a Bteam transport-ship, twelve ironclad steam-launches, two steam-tugs, and two other steamers. Since then tramways have been laid down between the coast and the Kraton, an artesian well has been opened, and an icemachine established, which has greatly improved the health of the troops. What further preparations have been made for this year's campaign does not at present appear, but the writer in the Cologne Gazette thinks they cannot be very considerable, as no reports have been received from the many foreign ships which visit the harbours of Ba'avia and Java of the engagement of large numbers of coolies or porters, which would be absolutely necessary in order to conduct the operations on a larger scale than hitherto.