Page:Statesman's Year-Book 1913.djvu/290

 168 THE BRITISH EMPIRE: — FEDERATED MALAY STATES

since 1888) and Negri Sembilan were placed under one Resident ; and in Jnly,

1895, a treaty was signed by which the administrations were amalgamated. The new federation, which retains the ancient name of Negri Sembilan, com- prises the states of Sungei Ujong, Sri Menanti, Johol, Jelebii, Rembau and Tampin. In 1887, by agreement with the Raja of Pahang, the control of his foreign relations, &c., was surrendered to the British Government. This was followed by a further agreement in 1888 with the Raja (now styled Sultan), under which Pahang was taken under British protection, on the same terms as the Protected Native States on the west coast of the peninsula. Pahang is situate on the east coast, within 200 miles by sea from Singapore. In July,

1896, the treaty between the four Protected Native States, Perak, Selangor, Pahang, and Negri Sembilan, and the British Government came into force by which the administrative federation of these States under a Chief Secretary is provided for, and the States agree to furnish a contingent of troops for service in the Colony should His Majesty's Government be at war with any foreign nation.

The areas of these States, in square miles, are approximately: — Perak, 7,800 sq. miles; Selangor, 3,156 sq. miles; Negri Sembilan, 2,550 sq. miles ; Pahang, 14,000 square miles ; total, 27,506 sq. miles. Perak, by recent agreement with Siam, has been extended hj about 1,000 square miles (included in tlie figures given above).

Population census 1911: Perak, 494,057 (344,238 males and 149,819 females); Selangor, 294,035 (220,939 males and 73,096 females); Negri Sembilan, 130,199 (87,651 males and 42,548 females); Pahang, 118,708 (72,234 males and 46,474 females) ; total 1,036,999, (725,062 males, and 311,937 females). The population contained 420,840 Malays, 433,244 Chinese, 172,465 natives of India, 3,284 Europeans and Americans, and 2,649 Eurasians. The preponderance of males over females is due to the number of Chinese immigrants. The largest town in the States is Kuala Lumpor (in Selangor) with about 47,000 inhabitants.

The military force of the States consists of a battalion of Sikhs and Pathans known as the Malay States Guides, to which is attached an artillery corps armed with field guns. The strength on Jan. 1, 1912 was 853, commanded by 11 European officers. The police force comprised 2,882 men, including 70 European officers and inspectors, besides 141 detectives. The Malay portion of the force included 1 assistant commissioner, 236 non-commissioned officers, and 955 constables, while the Indian establishment comprised 2 native officers, 182 non-commissioned officers and 1,241 constables.

In Perak, Selangor, Negri Sembilan, and Pahang, in 1911, there were 27 English schools maintained or assisted by Government, and 322 Malay Vernacular schools, with 17,007 scholars. The total number of schools was 369, with 22,566 enrolled pupils and an average attendance of 18,384.

The laws in force in each State of the Federation are contained in enactments passed by the State Councils, up to December, 1909, and from that date, where more than one State is affected, by the Federal Council. This Council consists of the High Commissioner as President, the Chief Secretary'-, the Sultans of Perak, Selangor, and Pahang, the Yam Tuan of Negri Sembilan, the four British Residents and four unofficial mem- bers, and in addition to legislation deals with the annual estimates of revenue and expenditure. All legislative enactments are submitted to the High Commissioner and the Secretary of State for the Colonies. The courts in the States are : — (1) The Supreme Court, comprising the Court of a Judicial Commissioner and the Court of Appeal. (2) The Court of a Magistrate of the first class. (3) The Con it of a Magistrate of the second class. (4) The Court of a Kathi and the Court of Assistant Kathi. (5) The