The Aceh Envoys’ Visit to Singapore in January-February 1873 was the visit of the envoys of the sultan of Atjeh to Singapore on their return from Riouw to Atjeh, in the course of which they sought the help of the American and Italian consuls against the Dutch. The visit was reported by the Consul-General W. H. Read in his telegram of 16 February 16 February 1873 to the Governor-General of Netherlands India, and was the proximate cause of the Dutch decision to send an expedition against Atjeh.
Background
In September 1872 the sjabandar of Atjeh, Panglima Tiban Mohammed, had arrived at Riouw — first without, then in December 1872 with credentials from the sultan — with various communications. From these it appeared that there were two parties at the sultan’s court: the Arab party under the hostile rijksbestuurder Habib Abdoerrahman, and a native party that wished, with Dutch help, to be rid of him. The Indies government decided to support the sultan against the Arab party, but only on condition of recognition of Dutch supremacy.
The Visit
On 25 January 25 January 1873 the envoys departed from Riouw for Singapore, to return to Atjeh after visiting a few other ports. After their departure the Governor-General received from the Consul-General at Singapore, W. H. Read, reports of their proceedings there, which he at once, on 16 February 16 February 1873, transmitted to the Minister of Colonies. The telegram read: “Consul-General Singapore reports treason of Atjeh. Embassy has there asked help of consuls America and Italy against us. Both have concerned themselves with the matter. Will try to provoke counter-order of governments to keep back. Consul America proposes Atjeh tractaat and writes to admiral in China. Racchia waits two ships and then marches to Atjeh.”
The Reliability
Although it later appeared that the Malay Ariffin who had given these communications to the Consul-General was “a rather unreliable person” and his reports were probably exaggerated, and although the Italian and American governments forbade their consuls further intervention, the Dutch government saw in these negotiations, “as they had also already been conducted with England, France and Turkey, the proof of the treacherous intentions of the Acehnese chiefs, who, presenting themselves as friends, asked other states for help in a war against us.” The Dutch government concluded that now, since the way of peaceful negotiation promised no results in view of the unreliability and hostile disposition of the Atjehers, vigorous action was necessary, and that, since the attention of foreign governments was now fixed on the matter, Dutch honour too demanded a more decided action.
The Decision to Send an Expedition
The Minister of Colonies, Fransen van de Putte, with the knowledge of the King and the council of ministers, sent a telegram on 18 February 18 February 1873: “If you do not doubt the correctness of the report of Consul Singapore, further delay is unlawful. Will send powerful sea-power to Atjeh, to ask clarification and account for ambiguous and treacherous conduct and the regulation of the relation of the Netherlands to Atjeh in the proposed sense. If not sufficiently complied with, the fighting forces shall be brought together, suitable to give sufficient emphasis to the demand with the least delay.” In the extraordinary meeting of the Raad of Nederlandsch-Indië with the commanders of sea and land forces, it was decided to send at once a high official to Atjeh with full powers.
See Also
- W. H. Read
- Ariffin
- Panglima Tiban Mohammed
- Habib Abdoerrahman
- I. D. Fransen van de Putte
- F. N. Nieuwenhuysen
- J. Loudon
- Singapore
- Riouw
- First Aceh Expedition (1873)
- Aceh War
Source
De geschiedenis van Nederland in onzen tijd, by J. A. de Bruyne, Directeur der Hoogere Burgerschool te Zierikzee. Deel IV. 1872-1883. Nieuwe uitgave. Schiedam: J. F. Dupont, 1912, Hoofdstuk I, pp. 9-11.