Feb. 1914.] Korte Mededeelingen.
sudden attacks with blank weapons. On that account our rifles are
tested the bayonets fixed.
It is true, that in former years the Dutch East Indian soldier was
the wastrel, not only of Holland, but also of foreign countries; ne
vertheless there were among them often many intelligent men, who
thus found a new country, where they had the chance of turning a
new leaf in their book of life. The present enlistment is excluded
to foreigners and fortunately the alloy of men we get from Holland
is improving since years.
Certainly the best native troops come from the islands of Ceram and
Amboina and from Menado; 1 know however by an experience of
20 years' service as military officer, that of the many gallant soldiers
I met with and personally knew, the natives of Java were not the
least courageous.
As to the last observation concerning the rank and file, I am
obliged to state, that punishments such as „cleaning the latrines,
etc." do not exist in our army.
Concerning the manoeuvres in Java: they take place daily; besides
the ordinary practising of field service by the companies, batalions
and brigades seperately, we have our yearly great manoeuvres,
wherefore as much as possible all the troops, stationed in the
island, are concentrated. For some years past these great manoeuvres
are under the personally survey of his Excellency the Commander
in Chief of the Army.
The view, the government has with its pawnshops, is to save
the natives from usury; the system of „free labor, given to the
creditor" in Java was abolished years ago.
Allthough ,1 sincerely regret, that the author has been so badly
informed in these matters, I hope that his article may increase the
British military officers' interest in our beautiful colonies and that
in future he may pay them a longer than a fleeting visit. This
being so I should advise him not „to ask a German" but to apply
directly to the War office or to any of my comrades, who will
surely be glad to give him all inquiries disired.
Yours faithfully,
W. F. Dinger.
Captain of the Dutch East Indian Army.
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