Stories from Deli

Java Bode 25-02-1897

Medan, February 1897.

It has been quite a while since I last wrote, but to write, one first needs material, and that has been lacking. Everything here is going along so calmly in its usual way that one who doesn’t know better might think that’s how it should be and continue on their own path until it becomes tedious. And that’s no wonder, especially in this current warm season, where the long chairs are busier than usual, and many people take more satisfaction and with more justification in their siestas, including a drink and a cigar, than at other times. But that’s during the siesta; the rest of the time, work continues as usual during cooler days, because, after all, tobacco must be produced. The Chinese might find it pleasant if one morning the various toewans ketjil (small lords) didn’t show up, but that won’t happen! To use one of our expressions: no, tobacco must be produced, especially this year when the chances of good prices are as promising as ever, and everyone hopes to recover the losses incurred last year.

Not that those losses are so great for everyone, but when one is used to a sloppy 100 percent profit, a mere 40 percent can be quite disappointing. I can well imagine that such a setback could prompt a board in Holland not to grant bonuses to assistants for that year. After all, a profit of around 40 percent isn’t considered a profit, and if the young men also have to take a cut from that, there’s nothing left at all, and that’s not feasible when one invests their capital in tobacco. But next year, you’ll see different results. In America, the supply of Sumatra tobacco is completely depleted, and the European market is also eager for more than just the few remnants that remain, so there will definitely be a scramble for the first batches this year. There’s a lot of fighting in the world, including here. Late last year, for example, a fierce battle was fought over the opium and liquor leases. The opium lease remained with the same lessee, but the liquor lease passed into other hands. Both leases will bring in a nice bit more in the next three years. No worries, though—if it can’t come from one source, it’ll come from another, but the Chinese involved will make sure they come out ahead. That’s just as well; I gladly wish the poor drinkers well, and the government neatly collects its coins, which appear on the revenue side of the budget and where our East Coast always makes a fine showing. If we can get something like a budget for roads or a few government buildings in addition to the usual expenses, we’ll be perfectly satisfied and will gladly leave the rest to Java or some other less well-off colony. No, we’re very easygoing here on that point. In fact, we’re easygoing in every area, so easygoing that you could hardly imagine it, but that’s really because it’s made very easy for us. We don’t have to concern ourselves with anything here, absolutely nothing—everything is taken care of by our diligent administration.

Just to give one example: over a year ago, a European was attacked from behind and stabbed to death in one of the busiest parts of Medan at dusk. Now, wouldn’t that cause quite a stir in Java? There would be long reports in the newspapers that everyone would have to read, followed by more reports on the progress of the investigation, and so on. Everyone would have to stay informed, right? Well, everyone would experience a lot of trouble and displeasure from such things. But here, that’s not the case. Here, everything is handled very easily, and no one needs to make a fuss over such an incident. The whole matter is investigated by a commission of inquiry, and then it’s over. Moreover, our prison here is a model breeding ground for beri-beri patients. I don’t understand why such cases aren’t handled the same way in Java; beri-beri is very convenient for cases that are difficult to solve. But there will come a time when your eyes will be opened, and our system will be adopted by you as well.

The only things people here concern themselves with, besides their usual activities, are amusements like horse shows, races, performances by “Gezelligheid,” or reunions in “The White” and auctions. The latter, in particular, is a popular form of entertainment, especially when one of our local leaders holds an auction. Recently, for example, in one of our districts, such a public amusement was held twice in one month by the same person, namely the controller of that district. The first time was due to a move, and the second time due to a departure shortly after the move. Such an auction is truly a public amusement because not only Europeans but also established locals and Chinese are politely invited. And then things get lively, as if money doesn’t matter. You should attend such an event sometime. People have a great time and also provide the organizer with a nice little bonus. Of course, later on, when the auction bill arrives, there might be a bit of a shadow over it, but by then, you’ve had your fun for your money and have bid and shouted “djoewal lagi” (sell it again) to your heart’s content.

Some officials have left here with what is called “a poor auction,” but that’s simply due to a lack of organizing spirit. At such an event, it’s important to make people feel comfortable.

The controller of Medan has finally been replaced after the position had been vacant for about six months. You can infer from the fact that the position remained unfilled for so long that everything here runs very smoothly. Medan with or without a controller is exactly the same—you don’t miss such a person at all, and we can easily do without one. But still, now that we have a mayor again, we’re quite pleased. His predecessor has now been placed on the West Coast with one of our former residents and must have one of the most desirable positions there. It’s incomprehensible because the man certainly didn’t have enough tact to leave here with a successful auction. But enough about those auctions, otherwise, you might think that’s all we do here—invite each other to auctions—but it’s not that bad.

We might be getting the Penang band, a good music group that has already performed here several times and earned a well-deserved success. We do care about art here because supporting a group of twenty people for a year just to hear them play isn’t trivial. However, it’s still uncertain whether it will happen because many prefer a ladies’ band over a group of Manilans. You might say that it doesn’t really matter who makes the music as long as it’s good, but you’re forgetting the high level of aesthetic appreciation we have here. It’s enormous, but since you won’t understand it anyway, I won’t dwell on it—but it’s true.

Our resident will soon be taking a trip to Batavia to discuss the interests of our district. It was rumored that the Governor-General himself would come here to handle those matters and perhaps also take a look at the system of “quiet rest” that is practiced here, but according to later reports, he is overwhelmed with work and unable to follow through with that plan.

Otherwise, nothing of significance is happening here, unless you consider a few coconut thefts, a couple of murders, and some robberies to be noteworthy. However, we don’t see them as such—they don’t concern us at all. We don’t need to concern ourselves with such matters, and we’re also too busy for that.

Until next time.