The drama on the territory of the re-hellions Rajah of Boni develops. with exceeding rapidity. The troops trying in vain to find a northern passage from Cape Patiro. to.reach Boni, wore ro-embarked and transported to Badjowo, the port of Boni. On the 28th of July they landed, the coast being reconnoitred before from the sea.
North of Badjowe there are along the coast, lines of small villages (campongs) inhabited by fishermen. Those cam-pongs were fortified, and consequently the landing of the troops had to be por-formed under adverse circumstances. On the morning of the 28th, at flood tide, lots of sloops carrying soldiers and tagged by launches, approached the coast, whilst the guns of seven men-of-war opened a heavy fire upon the strand fortifications. About 7 a.m. they reached the shore, the boats being not much more than a hundred yards' distance from the beach.
Tu. five of the fortifications the enemy nding his positions by rifle against the advancing troops.
The latter notwithstanding gallantly came forward, with the result that they drove the enemy out of the first fortifications. Then from the south now bands approached, but a steady fire aimed at them, drove them to flight.
The: Dutch had throw killed (including, Lieutenant Pothast) and 26 wounded. The enemy loft within and near the line of fortifications 256 dead behind him, bo-sides nine who were made prisoners. Later ad_and wounded wer picked
0 that the enemy's total loss may be ages, calculated as' near to 500 dead and wounded. They shot very badly, othorwise the losses of the Dutch would have been much heavier.
'After this the troops' opened camp near the coast, making use among others of the Dutch fortification built in 1859. However they did not remain very long that unhealthy place, Badjowo. After having reinforced thie coast positions, they proceeded on the 30th of July to; Boni (or Watampowe), the capital of the State and a'short distance away. A small Aotachmont was left behind at Badjowe.
Little was seen of the enemy, only a fow shots wore heard, and very soon the Dutch troops entered the capital, where alrendy twice before their flag had been hoisted. The war correspondents do-scribe the place as very little distinished; only a fow imposing buildings Sro there to be found, the. palace of the Rajah and some others.. We always knew Boni-was not a rich land.
'The: next objective of our tro is Pasemps, situated in the west of Boni. 'This place, to which the Rajah and his staff have fled, might be called a natural fortification built of rocks. Without tillery it will be' impossible to capture it. Of course the Dutch are carrying heavy' guns, and soon their fire will-be Airectedupon this mountain fort, which in the hands of a European enemy would be quite impregnable—something like a Port Arthur in the mountains.
On the '2nd inst. the troops advanced to Pasempa, and while writing these lines no farther news is known. So the old lion the Rajah is 72 yoars—is still safe in his be!
Near this. southern frontier of Boni at Balangnips the enemy made an attack upon the Dutch garrison there, However they were driven back, though they found the opportunity to burn a few. campongs..
Evidently the enemy here was not strong in numbers, nevertheless fresh troops were sent-over'to Balangnipa from Macassar.
Gowa is keeping quiet. Apparently the blow received by Boni at Badjowe calmed down the warlike disposition of the inhabitants of this State.
Neither from Wadjo, nor Sidenreng nor the other States, has news arrived, though meanwhile it is considered a fact that the population of the first (Wadjo) is allied with: Boni 'To make predictions is " difficult task at prosont. "It is known that besides at Pasempa another hiding-place is offered at Pompanuan' northwards on the Tjonrang-river.
The cruiser Hortog Hendrik, which struck a roof near Balangnipa, is going to singapore to be; docked.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.