Sarawak

"White Rajah" Cedes to Britain, But Heir Apparent Fights It

SARAWAK, romantic kingdom situated in north-west Borneo, east of Singa pore, has been ceded to Britain as a Crown Colony, and the “White Rajah,”

Sir Charles Vyner Brooke, is to retire from power. Britain is to pay £100,000,000 as compensation for the cession.

The transfer of Sarawak, ruled by the Brookes since 1842, when the first “White Rajah,” Sir James Brooke, had it ceded to him by the Sultan of Brunei, was an nounced in the House of Commons in February, 1946.

SIR, CHARLES BROOKE, his wife and three daughters are to get £2,000 a year, tax free, and other relatives will also be paid.

Sir Charles, in a message to the 500,000 people of Sarawak, said; “The happiness of your future lies with another realm.

There shall be no Rajah of Sarawak after me.”

The cession to Britain is opposed by Sir Charles’ nephew, Mr. Anthony Brooke, who led the provisional Government which Sir Charles dismissed last Novem ber after it had failed to agree with plans made by Whitehall.

Mr. Anthony Brooke was appointed Rajah Muda (heir apparent) in March, 1939, but was deprived of this title by Sir Charles nine months later, Mr. Brooke said in February: “The rights of the Sarawak people are not for sale. Whatever they say about me, nothing will prevent Anthony Brooke, Esq., from returning to Sarawak.

“TT is for the British Government and X the Rajah of Sarawak to convince the world that this transaction amounts to anything better than crude « imperialism.

“Whatever the Rajah or the British Government may say, sovereignty resides in the people of Sarawak. I shall person ally oppose this measure by every means in my power.”

Sir Charles Brooke, now 72, succeeded to the kingdom in 1917. The Japanese drove him out in December, 1941.

He visited Sarawak in April to place the cession agreement for ratification be fore the Supreme State Council, which is said to be in favour of the proposal.

Accompanied by his wife and family, Dr. D. M. Deland travelled from Adelaide to Port Moresby in April, to join the staff of the Provisional Administration.

He expected to take charge of the Madang District. During the Pacific war, Dr. Deland was a medical officer in ANGAU, and saw service in all parts of Papua and New Guinea.