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 (Achcen), 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 6/10 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, | 5,196 |
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.
