Stories from Deli

The Chinese people of Medan. Causery. BY P. B. VAN STADEN TEN BRINK.

And now a word about the official heads of the Chinese in Medan. Certainly I do not need to inform the readers further about the necessity of appointing heads; throughout the Ned. Ind.-Archipelago is considered that system applied. At Medan we have a Major, a Captain and two Lieutenants; twenty years ago only one Lieutenant served. Zander in personal prayers, I can only bear witness to the steady progress in social position and progress in fortune of the Major and Captain of the Chinese, which gentlemen I first met in 1885. Yes, they are now rich gentlemen, those two heads. How rich they are, it is impossible to say, it is absolutely impossible, only fame can be heard and it speaks of millions. Did I know them when they were by no means fortunate, now one only has to drive around Medan and ask: to whom does that belong to that house?
And the answer is, to our Chinese Marquis of Carabas.
There is no doubt that their wealth sprang purely from Delischen soil; the annual figures of the leases of opium, game, and spirits sound dizzy.
As true richards, the gentlemen are very generous.
If the board gives them a hint to sacrifice a penoinkske for some cause of common interest, then it is not considered a thousand dollars. Our soldiers in Aceh, among others, experienced this during the feasts of our Queen’s accession to the throne, when huu, as coming from a subscription list circulated for that purpose in Medan, was unexpectedly sent an amount of several thousand guilders. There was therefore a great celebration of this. This generosity is politics, one understands that, the money does yield interest, even though the Capital is invested a fonda pardu. These gifts are of course judged more by the quantum than by the hand that bestows them, but it nevertheless argues for the mime insight of the gift, whose entrepreneurial spirit sometimes extends zaer.
We careless Europeans have no idea of ​​the financial ingenuity of the Chinese big-capitalists in general, whom I think I can describe as the champion chess players on the calculator.
The innate level-headed and clear mind, aided by an excellent memory and unparalleled dexterity, stamp them as first-class sharp men, who make money in Deli a pleasant, animating sport.

The present Major of the Chinese Tjong Young Hian was 20 years ago only a beginner, a candidate, I would say, who was only the first tap done, prayed on the way to fortune. He made his debut as acting Lieutenant of the Chinese, while the actual functionaries, the salaried Lieutenant Ban The, chose to retire from the business in order to live a life of government. But our Tjong Ah Yong, as his general name was then, saw no objection in going to work without an immediate reward.

He was very popular with Europeans and it has remained so ever since, as evidenced by the year after year more popular New Year’s receptions. In later years he no longer had to get involved in all matters so much, but at the time he was the counselor, the task person, the peace officer, the solver of all matters. No one ever talked about him in an unpleasant manner, all, as well as private persons, were delighted with the exceptionally helpful man and the solid Chinese civil servant.

Tjong Ah Yong went on to keep an equipage, a special event at the time in Medan, where only the very high authorities, civilian and private, could afford that opulence. A very normal car rental queue like e.g. There were many at Batavia, could not exist in Medan, could not make a profit, even though the hundreds of carts crossed the place, with a freight rate of ten cents.
If an official or other large reception took place, be it a performance or ball in the Saciöteir, at which ladies would appear in a large toilet, Leiden was in trouble. Then the storm ran to the Lieutenant to use his carriage, and he kept nodding, smiling: yes. So the carriage was busy all evening and night, taking visitors and visitors home and away.
This helpfulness lasted for years – until gradually the carriage monopoly disappeared, as before and after several carriages were brought in from Java and Singapore, carriage workshops were established on the spot and many Americaines were also sold. Nowadays one rarely sees the now much more beautiful equipages of major and captain used by others, as there is now less reason to ask, but if it still happens sometimes, the owners are the largest courtesy immediately willing to agree.
In the course of a few years the popularity of the titular lieutenant had increased more and more, especially because of his great modesty, which brought him many friends. However, whether the latter were always completely disinterested, I have to doubt. One morning I was sitting with the Lieutenant at his house – then still very small and small – talking a little intimately, when my eye fell upon a Batavian wardrobe, which, surrounded by a few other but inferior ones, was placed in his small front gallery, at the expense of the limited space. On my statement of surprise about this, the Lieutenant let slip, of course with a smile: yes, I can hardly store them anymore, my house is getting too small, I already have about 20 of them and I would like to buy something, but to avoid the appearance of being rushed, I buy a piece that people think I really need. Perhaps this or that reader will wish that I now also say my opinion on the point: vendutien. I must refuse this outright, in order to avoid any misunderstanding and to avoid an accusation of “calomnia.” This extremely delicate subject offers too good an opportunity to fantasize.
No matter how long I was at Dcli, no matter how many events I was allowed to attend, it has never happened that proof could be given of attempted bribery by financial favoritism. The way in which great STIs were offered on matters of minor value, was always done in the most legitimate form, without any fuss, nor ostentation, in short, never gave any grounds for offense.
It was therefore a pointless and hopeless task to come up with measures to thwart suspected begastigiag; individual freedom cannot be restricted.
The main factors in forming a “beautiful” vendution lie so deeply hidden in people’s minds, business men and women exercise such a selective ca absolute silence about it, that the uninitiated but decisions should not delve into an unruly problem. the solution of the riddle. But I still want to mention a striking case we experienced, involving the question of finding a thread in the maze of calculations. My meeting became a — now more than 10 years ago — When asked about the subsequent outcome of a canine reindeer voucher, how would I estimate the yield? I answered bluntly: 45 grand. To my great surprise 2 days later my prediction came out exactly. The inspector le kl. Of Medan had recently made a 25 million report and the previous resident, whose stay on the East coast had lasted shorter than the current departure and made 40 grand. From this I had to follow that now 5 grand more would be spent. Thus a more or less very simple rule of threes, with several unknowns.

After several years of apprenticeship, Tiong Ah Yong was appointed Canadian officer. Years afterwards — the dates don’t matter — he became captain, with two Laitants older. One deier was aijo brother •) Tjoog Ah Fie. In 1897 both were upgraded in rank, for the time being again titular, and only recently were they elevated to the effective rank of Major and Captain, while enjoying the associated income.

I may assume that the various increases in rank and income of the Government must have also contributed to the three-year renting figures on the East coast of Sumatra.

So burdensome, expensive and often very disappointing were the state troubles in Java, alias as regards the opium flow, and when smuggling plays such a leading role, so easy, so pleasant and so without the chance of financial failure, the colossal sums of the opium lease come to an end. East coast of Sumatra with mathematical certainty in.

Every three years a lease is made at Medan, and it is then of course an extremely critical time for the retiring tenant, who must endeavor to keep what he has if he is not to incur great losses. It is of great importance for the administration to subject the fiancial strength of new candidates to a strict assessment, especially to prevent undesired changes in the flow of opium in a region with ± 150,000 Caineese coolies.

A very small increase b. v. the retail price could cause a very dangerous excitement among those people. I was once told a sample of opium politics, the responsibility of which I cannot accept, but for the sake of convenience I want to insert it here, in the foreground Counting: Sin on è vero, è ben trovato.

The monstrous rent to be paid by the tenant amounted to NLG 140,000. The contract was about to end and new registrations were imminent. It was known that that sum was almost a maximum because above it the chances of winning became very skewed.

The newcomer, known very wealthy Cainees, appeared on the scene at the lease, so it would be a great tense.
When the notes were opened, the two highest bidders said they had both bid f150,000. Now a real American battle ensued between the two rivals, bidding went on, at the same time as act 5 grand, until at last the newcomer felt beaten, as the old pachfer offered more and more, until at last the bid was f180,000.

For the time being, therefore, the lease was awarded to the highest bidder, the old tenant.

Lo and behold, that was reassuring to him, the thought enemy was off the track, taken aback. Now the high government still has to respond to the allotment. But this one was less pleased with that pushing, it could well be: the slaughter of the goose that lays the golden eggs.

Therefore, she decided, informed by the competent advisers, to reduce the rent to NLG 150,000, the increase of 10 mille per month already being quite satisfactory. This story would be very curious, if true, for the inferences to be drawn from it.

To come back to our Mayor, it was always warmly granted the increasing prosperity, the proof of sympathy was not lacking, and especially could au d discern this on the aforementioned New Year? receptions. The entire spacious house is then opened to the visiting public, who can marvel at the rich furnishings, the real Chinese embroidered wall hangings, beautiful golden sprinkling boards, finely lacquered furniture, etc. etc. there is an electric illumination and the whole street rerculd with the bang and the smoke of abundant fireworks.

Three years ago the OB & joot otin moved into new wonirg and it appears that he will spend his life there. Its location is nn on the main street of Medan, a place long sought after and finally obtained. This house must now give him the ideal of his long-desired wishes and travel to China again on his, beaten legs, – with official leave the long-considered building plans must have matured. It is entirely on the ground floor without a floor, a jewel of real Gaineean construction, of well-being, rutt and domestic convenience.

The major’s eldest son appears to be a promising prospective successor to his esteemed father; are favorable and sometimes do expect a lot. If ever anyone, the major may now say: my house is ir 7 cast ie. O / er the captain of the Chinese Tjong A Fie I can be shorter. His rise and prosperity kept pace with that of his brother, save for the difference in rank. His path was more pointed and smooth from the start. This younger brother is said to be more progressive and more entrepreneurial than the older one. I cannot judge, my reflections are based on an external perception, it is very difficult to get a proper look at the Chinese character if one has had little contact with the person ointment. Be that as it may, the youngster has similarly attained rank, prestige, and fortune, while the public has liking him too.

Well, my prosperity has sprouted from you: the inexhaustible gold mine of Dcli, where Earopeean energy, diligence and persistence have already shaped so many a capitalist. The captain has built himself a hnis in Medan, also in the main street, not far from his brother, which may just be a palace. That house gives a clear picture of difference in character, if hours compares it just like the other, that of his brother. While the one is insignificant in appearance, the other is trotecher in design and shape. Although entirely in Chinese style, it has a floor, a bel étage, dedicated to the reception of Europeans and furnished and upholstered for that purpose. A very expensive concert organ can be heard there. Incidentally, the house has a wide and deep construction, except for small courtyards where rainwater is collected in stone bowls, surrounded by stone steps. In the front yard are two life-size sculpted animals on a pedestal. It is a splendid piece of solidity and durability, as chosen by Rev, tit: materials already supplied from Cóina, ala due to the neat finish, in short a splendid work of opulence and richness, which will also be able to withstand centuries. Let me add that in that house the real Chinese industry in lacquerware, embroidery and gilding can be admired. With this her blatantly ended, and I would like to express your hope that she may cooperate a little ebb to the right air with our friends the Caineese.
(Editorial section ending).

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