Stories from Deli

VELERLEI. From tempo doeloe.” (New series) I. The Millions For Deli (SP 15-04-1916) “It couldn’t go on like this! There had to be an end to this rampant trading, this usury, this speculation with Straits currencies, Spanish mats, Mexican and Hong Kong dollars, British trade dollars, all within a Dutch colony. It was against Dutch…

DC 26-02-1912 The Chinese in the Straits were quite active during the New Year festivities. Riots of varying severity occurred everywhere—in Kuala Lumpur, Teluk Anson, Singapore, and Penang. In Kuala Lumpur, the troublemakers launched an attack on the Central Police Station. One of them was killed, and ten were injured. The police only fired after…

Deli Courant 11-04-0885 Given the extensive coverage of the Chinese unrest in Deli and its probable causes, which has led many to view the future of this rapidly developing region with pessimism, it may not be unwelcome to some to hear a few remarks on this matter. We therefore propose to highlight some conditions that,…

Deli Courant 07-12-1912 Although our telegrams yesterday already reported that the handling of the Indian budget has concluded with its adoption, we still provide below the explanation of the minister’s stance on the Chinese question, as evident from the Memorandum of Reply. The minister states therein: Regarding the Chinese issue, the undersigned first wishes to…

The young Chinese and the riots in Surabaya. De Sumatra Post 13-04-1912 As we gradually receive reports about what has happened in Beijing, and hear about what is now happening in southern China, one is astounded by the unparalleled brutality and shamelessness of the Chinese journalists, who have raised a ruckus about the police’s actions…

De Sumatra Post 21-02-1912 In Batavia, riots occurred in the Glodok and Senen districts, namely because of the display of the republican flag (prohibited in Batavia). The riots initially looked threatening, but passed off calmly. The troublemakers were arrested. Now everything is quiet. ^From Surabaya, the news comes that the singkehs there have been very…

Deli COurant 24-05-1902 East Coast of Sumatra.The brochure pointed to the poor quality of food, insufficient quantities of nutrients, and recounted physical punishment, illegal confinement, and the untimely death of innocent or barely guilty individuals in deadly prisons. It described how prostitution led to syphilis and how the separation of children from their mothers sometimes…

Deli Courant 23-05-1902 East Coast of Sumatra.The budget of a skilled Chinese tobacco planter can be estimated as follows: with a planting of 16,000 trees, he can expect an annual income of 112 dollars. From this, 8 dollars are deducted for shoes and clothing, 5 for tools, 8 for labor assistance, and 2.5 dollars per…

Deli Courant 22-05-1902 East Coast of Sumatra. I. Medan.When, on March 23rd, I slowly sailed down the Simpang-Anas River on the government steamer De Brak, I felt that entirely different travel impressions awaited me. I was leaving the scene of years of stubborn struggle and fierce conflict to enter a region of peaceful industrial development; after…

Deli Courant 23-03-1901 In response to an invitation from our Chinese Major Tjong Young Hian to attend a party at the house of Chinese Captain Tjong A Fie, a large crowd gathered on Saturday evening at Kasawan to head to the new house recently built on that street. The turnout was significant due to the…