240 



AUSTEALASIA. 



Dutch administrative division known as the Residence of Ternate. One of the 

 most remarkable phenomena in the history of Indonesia is the extraordinary 

 political importance acquired by these two insignificant islets. At the very time 

 when the Italian republics of Venice, Pisa and Genoa were enjoying a marvellous 

 prosperity, these eastern Malay communities were, under analogous conditions, 

 acquiring vast colonial empires stretching far over the surrounding archipelagoes 

 and continents. Trading settlements from Tidor and Ternate were founded in all 

 the markets of Malaysia, and their ascendency was maintained as long as their 

 operations were limited to trade. But decay set in as soon as their sultans became 

 rich potentates surrounded by thousands of slaves, levying heavy tribute and 

 plundering the surrounding regions with their armies of mercenaries and piratic 

 fleets. 



At present these sultans retain little beyond an empty title. The so-called 



Fig. 104. — Density of the Population in Dutch Indonesia. 

 Scale 1 : 45 OOO.OOn. 



95° 



Easb oF ore 



Inhabitants to Ihe Square Mile. 



to 10 10 to 20 20 to 100. 100 to 300. 



Each square represents a population of 100,0<X). 



= 600 Miles 



" kingdom " of Tidor comprises the central part of Halmahera with its two eastern 

 peninsulas, besides the western shores of New Guinea with the adjacent islands. 

 To Ternate are nominally assigned the northern peninsula of Halmahera with 

 more than half of the south, the Sula Archipelago and about one-third of Celebes. 

 According to the local chronicles a treaty of peace was concluded in 1322 

 between the Molucca States, in virtue of which the first rank was awarded to the 

 Kolano of Jailollo (Jilolo) in Halmahera ; but in 1380 the Sultan of Ternate 

 acquired the ascendency under the title of Kolano Maloko, or " Prince of the 

 Moluccas." Since that time the relations between the various local states has been 

 modified by the wars between the Portuguese and Spaniards, and by the arrival of 

 the Dutch. At present the Jailollo prince is a mere vassal of Ternate, which in 

 its turn is fain to recognise the suzerainty of Holland. In 1879 all slaves were 

 officially declared free throughout the whole of these territories. 



