Sourabaya, 20th July.
On Saturday, 15th inst., the remainder of the expeditionary troops loft our port for South Celebes by the transports Van Riemsdyk, Van Ontshoorn, General Pel, Van Imhoff and Van den Bosch, accompanied by the gunboat'Flores. The Commander-in-Chief, Colonel Van Locnen, with his staff, disembarked at Macassar, whilst the body of the expedition was brought over to Bulukomba (on the south coast, see map), where they will wait for the chief to join them. The Jatter hold a conference at Macassar with the governor, Mr. Kroesen, and the Commander-in-Chief of the gurrison_ fore: Lieutenant-Colonel Michielson. There it was found necessary to reinforce the on of that part, considering the situation in Gowa, where agitation has been rising extremely and especially lately, it having become inevitable to imprison two princes of Gowa, who were preaching rebellion and to dep.rt them over sea to Sourabaya... It has transpired besides that agents of Boni are busy among the population of Gowa to induce the latter algo into a rising against Government. That is the reason why the Governor of Celebes wired to the Governor-General of this colony for more -troops and orders are given for their embarkation ab Samarang at the fest opportunity.
On July 17th in the afternoon Colonel Vin Loenen and staff left Macassur to join the army at Bulukomba, whence they first proceeded to Badjoae (Budju).
On the same day (17th wst..) the editor of the 'Soerabajasch Hundelsbind" had an interview" with—the li tical resident of Celebes, Mr. Brog-man, who passed through' Sourabaya. The interview was very interes The above-pamed Government official has been serving for thirty years on the island of Celebes, and knows the native States there as a Parisian may know the Boulevard des Italiens. He was questioned as to how it came about that the Rajah of Boni, from being. a friend of Government, was converted into an. enemy. The reply was that th ruler, formerly a' man of very ideas, became quite bigoted through the Arabs who settled in his country. This is wonderfully coincident "with news received from the correspondent at Constantinople of one of the Dutch daily papers, stating that the raler of Boni has dedicated a sum of £200 to the Sublime Porte for the further extension of the Hedjaz railway hue to the holy places of the Islam.
This donation was - handed) over by a sheik of Hadramat, who a fow years ago travelled in the Netherlands Eust Indies, evidently for the purpose of propagatiny the pau-Islamitical idea. Gu the same occasion the sheik consigned a letter either from or on behalf of the Kajal of Boni, in which he "appeals for help t" the Kauf in his own name and that of his " lies against the Dutch Government. This help will remain chimerical; still meanwhile the Turkish Consul-General at Batavia has been ordered by his Government to provide reports about the progress of affairs in South Celebes.
Coming back to the interview, Mr. Brogman further said that he expected! parang to-ce-operate with Boni. Luwa, a State ruled by x princes who is allied to the Government but not a vassal; is not likely to become offensive, but' might he combative in ews of an abtacn. 'The State of Gown, he thinks, will remain neutral, at least if' there is no excessive strength in the pro-war party.
These small Stalex in South Celebes seem to be rather well provided with fire ven ut anodera construction, Mr. Bragman estimated the number of them in Boni to be one thousand, in Sidenreng (the principal one of the Adjabyiparang States) two thousand at least, wud in Gowa one thousand, whilst within the limits of the other Srates'they seem to. be fewer in umber. Of highest importance Mr. Beaman considered the prevention of import of opium, which he says is in time of war an article almost as indispensable as arms and ammunition, ding the final result of the oxpedition Mr. Brugman was rather hopeful, Soon sanguinary engagements will take place. but the rebellion will be broken. The inhabitants of Baul will follow the ils of their'old Prince only for the sake of reverence, but once Lapawawooy made prisoner, his subject' will very soon cease opposition the more as they will feel it a relief not to be xposed any longer to the versation of their extravagant chief.
22nd July.
As I already wired you, the Dutch troops were landed neat Cape Patiro, on the morning of the 20th inst. Presnmably the enemy did not expect the troops there; no resistance being encountered, With great quickness the force is. now marching northward in the direction of the capital Boni, crossing a rather swampy country along the river Patiro (the mouth, of this river is near the cape of that mame.) Owing to the deplorable condition of the roads in the wet season, which is ending now, the cavalry and train were left behind near the coust.
Phe intention of the Commander Chief ix, I think, to march quickly in order tourrive at the rear of the enemy, who is smoposed to be in Inrge numbers in the capi Soerabaya, 20th July.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.