Lombok is a subject named in General Swart, Pacifier of Atjeh (1943) by M. H. du Croo, in connection with the history of Atjeh and the governorship of H. N. A. Swart.
Account in du Croo’s Generaal Swart (1943)
From C. Deijckerhoff
Deijckerhoff was “a convinced adherent of the policy of conciliation.” That policy corresponded entirely with the demands of the Indies moment in 1892, because the army was then preparing for a large-scale undertaking against Lombok which would probably require all its strength, so that Atjeh could count on no reinforcement. Action on an extended scale therefore had to be avoided — “and that lay entirely in the line of Deijckerhoff’s views.”
From Atjeh van 1890 tot 1898
Deijckerhoff’s accession, du Croo wrote, “opened — and at the same time closed — the most disappointing and shameful period of Atjeh policy.” He was a convinced adherent of the policy of conciliation. That policy corresponded entirely with the requirements of the Indies moment in 1892, because the army was then preparing for a large-scale undertaking against Lombok which would probably demand all its strength, so that Atjeh could not count on reinforcement. Action on an extended scale therefore had to be avoided — which lay entirely in the line of Deijckerhoff’s own convictions. But the application of those convictions also meant that the courage and enterprise of the warlike Acehnese greatly increased: “als de Kompeni (“the Company (the Dutch power)“did not dare, he at once dared twice as much!”
From Non-interventiepolitiek
Gradually more colonial figures of significance turned against this absolute non-intervention; more than one side pointed to the dangerous and continual chance that other powers, in the emerging drive for colonial expansion, would declare that non-intervention to be impotence and exploit it; Governor-General Van Lansberge at least dared to acknowledge that greater involvement did not exceed Dutch financial strength. But it lasted until 1894, and until the abuses in Lombok made intervention unavoidable, before the minister of Colonies acknowledged: “our sovereignty over a native state lays upon us, with regard to what happens there, a responsibility that we cannot shake off.”
See Also
- C. Deijckerhoff
- Atjeh van 1890 tot 1898
- Non-interventiepolitiek
- Opening der Buitengewesten
- H. N. A. Swart
- General Swart, Pacifier of Atjeh (1943)
- Atjeh
Source
Generaal Swart, Pacificator van Atjeh (“General Swart, Pacifier of Atjeh”), by M. H. du Croo, Colonel K.N.I.L. (retired), with the collaboration of H. J. Schmidt, Titular Colonel K.N.I.L. (retired), with a foreword by His Excellency Lieutenant-General K.N.I.L. (retired) G. K. Dijkstra (Maastricht: N.V. Leiter-Nypels, 1943), passim.