Stories from Deli

Tubantia 14-04-1877

A Talk About Sumatra

On the eastern coast of the richly blessed Sumatra, south of the Aceh States, and bordered to the east by the Strait of Malacca, to the west by the independent villages and districts of the Bataks, and further by the mountains that separate them from the Padang highlands, lie some small states, dependencies of Siak. Since the latter kingdom placed itself under Dutch authority, these states also came under Dutch East Indies administration.

The most well-known of these states are Femian, Edi, Langkat, and Deli. They can all boast a, though low, very fertile soil, crisscrossed by numerous small rivers. In these regions, Dutch enterprise found a new field of activity.

Over the past few years, particularly in Langkat and Deli, agricultural enterprises have been established on a large scale, which will undoubtedly contribute greatly to the general prosperity in due course. These agricultural enterprises are mostly companies. The government grants them extensive plots of land for a certain period.

With the cooperation of the government, the owners have entered into contracts to secure the necessary labor force from the local population, which is further strengthened by a number of Chinese from Singapore, who are highly valued because they are diligent, not stupid, and have very limited needs. It almost goes without saying that the plantations in Deli and Langkat are in a rather favorable condition. They arouse great interest from the government, as these enterprises can help maintain Dutch authority. Indeed, the idea is appealing that the Dutch industrialist will soon cross the Femian River, which separates Siak from Aceh, to also bring the message of peace to the areas where our arms gradually bring the Rajas to submission. Meanwhile, it is by no means certain, in fact, everything but certain that this will happen.

The enemy, known as “self-interest,” has also crept into these colonies; it is the same enemy that brought Suriname to ruin in large part; and you see, in these regions, too, people want to make quick and easy money, while completely ignoring the fact that this is the rock on which many an agricultural enterprise must inevitably founder if it sails onto it.

The “companies” all aim for one goal: high dividends; they want to become capitalists quickly and therefore do not care about the means they employ, whether or not the future is endangered. It goes without saying that there are exceptions here too; that there are plantations where self-interest does not rule, although here too the exceptions prove the rule, which is all the more regrettable because the future is at stake.

One immediate consequence is that the local and Chinese workers are victimized; the administrators have them flogged, as an infallible means to spur their diligence and make them more flexible. In revenge for such treatment, the workers flee—which is quite understandable—while the administrators then call on the long arm of the government to make the criminals suffer forced labor or imprisonment for their malicious departure. Another plantation owner pays higher wages than his competitors, but on the other hand, he takes back twice the increased wage by forcing his workers to buy their necessities in his shop. A third withholds part of his coolies’ wages until the contract is fulfilled.

As long as this has not happened, they have to manage without means. Riots and murders are the result. Because of these measures, there is much talk of insecurity in Langkat and Deli; there are calls for an expedition, while the existing evil is ignored with open eyes.

It is more than sad that agriculture and industry are suffering under this, as these should be the foundation on which the Kingdom of Insulinde must float. Not the most direct, but rather the indirect benefits should make us rich, not those that exploit the locals. No stronger bond than agriculture ties the colonies to the motherland.

A mutual exchange of products, of labor—a joint pursuit of development. But it also need not be pointed out that the way things are handled makes a big difference. We certainly rejoice that the government facilitates and promotes the establishment and operation of plantations, but it should ensure that the rights of the workers are not curtailed. He who cuts down the tree to enjoy all the fruits at once is as foolish as the man who slaughtered the goose for its golden egg.