Stories from Deli

Sumatra Courant 28-04-1869

Deli (East Coast of Sumatra).
Regarding the state of this empire we borrow the following particulars from a report of the Resident of Riouw of January last.

The present Sultan of Deli is a wise prince; imbued with the superiority of the European institutions in the field of government and administration, he tries to understand them, in order to apply them in his empire. Deli has also made very noticeable progress in the last four years. The agricultural enterprises of Europeans have not only brought much into circulation, but the success of their enterprises has also convinced the native population of the advantages of agriculture driven with zeal and fresh land. The population has therefore started everywhere with the planting of coconut and nutmeg trees, so that within a few years a very considerable export of these fruits can be expected. The increasing prosperity of the population is clearly visible in their clothing, household goods and food.
The crops that had to be brought in from outside a few years ago are now abundantly and cheaply available and have become a common food for the people, after the population has been able to cultivate their land undisturbed.
The Bataks are increasingly beginning to provide themselves with their necessities in Dpli, and entire groups of them were brought in from the uplands every day. – The only thing that has decreased compared to the past is the export of pepper. This is due to the state of unrest in which the country used to be. Old plantations were neglected and the dead vines were not replaced by new ones. Now, however, a considerable number of young vines have been planted again, so that in two or three years a rich harvest of pepper can be expected.

European entrepreneurs focus on tobacco, nutmeg and cracker cultures. There is also a factory for the preparation of fine oils, while there is an opportunity to insure products for the sea voyage to Poelos Pinang and there is even talk of setting up a steamboat service between the latter place and Deli, and of establishing a doctor here. The entrepreneurs are very satisfied with the results they have obtained; their tobacco fetches a good price in the Netherlands; ample capital is being made available for the expansion of the plantations. The harvest of 1868 amounted to approximately 187,000 Amst. pounds for the European market, while another 37,500 Amst. pounds was exported to the domestic market. The entrepreneurs work with foreign workers, such as Chinese, Siamese, Klings and Javanese: ‘as a rule they enter into agreements with the locals for the planting of a certain number of tobacco plants, for which an advance is given.

According to a statement by one of the entrepreneurs would the planters of the fields, who succeeded, have earned on average $ 45 with their tobacco; the two highest earned respectively $ 102 and $ 89 and the least received 20 and 18 dollars. The Chinese and other workers or planters are in a position to annually hand over not insignificant sums. The main agricultural enterprise in Deli is run by Dutchmen with Dutch capital; the other enterprises are owned by European foreigners. It would be desirable if more Dutchmen took advantage of the favourable circumstances in Deli.

The Sultan of Deli is very pleased with the results obtained from the establishment of European agricultural entrepreneurs in his realm; the princes of Langkat and Seidang would like to see such entrepreneurs also come to settle in their realms. (Jav. Cour.)