CHAPTEE IV 



THE DUTCH EAST INDIES 



1. Extent "and Importance, 



Almost all the groups south of the Philippines — extend- 

 ing from Pulo Mas on the west of Sumatra to the Aru 

 Islands near New Guinea, a distance of nearly 2500 

 geographical miles — are comprised in the Dutch Colonies, 

 forming altogether a state nearly twelve times the size of 

 England, with a population of over 30,000,000, abound- 

 ing in gold, tin, diamonds, pearls, coal, and salt, and pro- 

 ducing pepper, cinnamon, tea, coffee, rice, tobacco, sugar, 

 camphor, and spices. The actual land area is estimated 

 at 562,540 square miles. Thus, these Dutch possessions 

 rank next in importance to the British Empire in Asia, 

 and their trade with the home country amounts to at 

 least one-half of that carried on between the East Indies 

 and England. The total value of the exports in 1890 

 amounted to £14,657,975, while the floating capital of 

 this trade can scarcely be estimated at less than 

 £25,000,000. Of all these great possessions the most 

 important by far is the island of Java. It is intersected 

 in every direction with railways and telegraphs, has been 

 for centuries the seat of civilisation, and is as well known 

 as most European countries. 



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