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3rd Class.-1. Block-houses and strand-batteries at Padang. 4th Class.-2. Redoubt at Priaman.
3. Redoubt at Aijer-Bangies.
4. Redoubt at Rau.
5. Star earthwork, Fort de Kock, at Boekit-Tinggi.
6. Redoubt, Fort Van der Capellen, at Batoe-Sangkar.
7. Redoubt at Padang-Pandjang.
8. Redoubt at Paija-Comba.
9. Redoubt at Solok.
10. Defensive camp at Sibogha.
11. Fort at Natal.
12. Defensive camp at Padang-Sidempoean.
13. Redoubt at Baros.
14. Redoubt at Singkel.
15. Redoubt at Goenong-Sitoli.
16. Redoubt at Lagoendi.
The third class defences were disclassed in 1871. Of the fourth class, 16 was disclassed in 1863,
7 in 1873, and 5 and 11 in 1877; the remainder are still retained.
Garrison. This is the only outer possession which is always honoured by the presence of a battalion of the field army. The 16th Field Battalion is stationed here between Padang-Pandjang, near Padang and Fort de Kock, in the hills.
Besides the field battalion, there is
large garrison battalion of 800 men distributed among the places mentioned as retained forts, with head-quarters at Padang; and Scutterij 130 Europeans and half-castes; and 130 natives.
Artillery. The 14th Company, mixed Mountain and Fortress, is divided between Padang and Padang-Pandjang.
Naval Guard-One dispatch-boat, and four armed cutters for this coast, Padang is also a Government coaling-station.
General Remarks.
Although the commerce of Sumatra's west coast is increasing, and it is held to be one of the last points that should be given up even to save Java, it does not offer to the Power assailing Java any very great attractions.
The harbours are not good; the supplies cannot as a rule be obtained in abundance until the interior is reached, which would necessitate great expenditure of force and loss of time. The conquest of Sumatra would not bring with it that of Java, while the conquest of Java would, no doubt, be followed by that of Sumatra.
It appears that Sumatra should be so far harrassed as to prevent the forces there being detached to the aid of Java.
As much as 8,000 men has been proposed for this division. Padang to be held by a force from 1,200 to 1,500 men, but prepared to retire on the passes and positions leading to the fortified depôts in the interior. The force in this district to be withdrawn to support Java, or to be aided from Java, if that island was not itself too heavily attacked to be able to lend assistance.
Atchin.
This portion of the country may be said to be still in a state of war, although the stronghold Kotta Radja, an old-fashioned intrenchment with many old-type guns, has been captured. The country cannot be said by any means to be pacified. As it is not the object of this paper to write the history of the war in Atchin, it is only mentioned that so far two harbours have been established, Oleh Leh and Poeloe Bras. Classification uncertain.
A large portion of the fleet and Government marine are still retained on duty off this coast. The garrison battalion for Atchin and its Dependencies numbers 2,000 men, and six field battalions are still there, the 2nd, 3rd, 11th 12th, 14th, and 15th.
Supposing one to be retained after the pacification of the country, as in the case of West Sumatra, there would still be five to distribute in the Java garrisons.
There is also one squadron of cavalry.
Artillery-4th Company Mountain, and 6th and 22nd Companies Fortress.
The position of the Dutch in Atchin is at present precarious, and they have enough to do to keep their position; but it is evident a powerful Colony here, with defended harbours, if such can be established, would prove a serious menace to the main line of traffic round the north of Sumatra. with Penang and Singapore.
Sumatra's East Coast.
The whole coast is one continued marsh, with dense undergrowth; and even the higher interior, although rich land, an almost interminable forest peopled by wild animals. The few Settlements are on the banks of the rivers.
There is no evidence in the 1860 List, or later "Gazettes," of the existence of forts in this region.
Garrison. One company of the 7th Field Battalion distributed between Bangkalis, Siak, and other places. There are several small havens on this coast, but none of either first or second class.
Artillery.--Part of 12th Company Garrison at Deli on Bangkalis. The size of garrison and class of harbours shows that the Dutch are but imperfectly established on this coast.
Naval Guard.--One dispatch-boat, two armed cutters.
Appendix No. 9.
NETHERLANDS.
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