OCCASIONAL NOTES. 



SUMATRA IN 1886. 



The island of Sumatra is entirely under Dutch rule, nomi- 

 nally so at all events, though there are large tracts of country 

 where Dutch rule is not yet recognised, or where no attempt 

 has as yet been made to introduce it. This applies particu- 

 larly to the interior of Atjeh (Acheen), the countries of the 

 Alas, Gayus, and the different tribes of the Battaks. 



The island is divided into a number of districts, provinces, 

 or kingdoms, some of which are under direct Dutch rule, 

 whereas others continue to be governed by their native rulers 

 with the assistance of European advisers. 



The latest official statements give the following particu- 

 lars : — 



Area, 8.567^%- geographical miles. (This includes the 

 Riouw residency, Banka and Billiton. Though geographically 

 dependencies of Sumatra, these are considered and treated 

 as separate parts in official records.) 



Population: — Europeans, ... ... 3*847 



Natives of the country, ... 2,792,561 

 Chinese, ... ... ... 105,823 



Arabs, ... ... ... 2,600 



Other Asiatics, ... ... 5> x 96 



These figures must, of course, be regarded as more or less 

 conjectural, as it is only as far as Europeans are concerned 

 that there can be any attempt at accuracy. 



The following are the political divisions into which the 

 country has been sub-divided by the Dutch Government : — 



1. West Coast of Sumatra, 2,200 geographical square 

 miles under direct Dutch rule. A Governor is at its head 

 with his head-quarters at Padang. 



