This fascinating work explores the complex political and economic landscape of Sumatra, one of the key trading hubs of the East Indies. With detailed descriptions of local customs, cultures, and traditions, as well as rigorous analysis of the policies and practices of the Dutch colonial authorities, this book offers a comprehensive view of a critical period in the history of Indonesia. A must-read for anyone interested in Southeast Asian history, colonialism, or international trade. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.