Alexander Idenburg
{{Short description|Dutch politician (1861–1935)}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Alexander Idenburg
| image = Idenburg, A.W.F. Minister van Koloniën.jpg
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = Idenburg in 1903
| order =
| office1 = Council of State
| term_start1 = 17 February 1925
| term_end1 = 28 February 1935
| office2 = Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies
| term_start2 = 18 December 1909
| term_end2 = 21 March 1916
| monarch2 = Wilhelmina
| predecessor2 = Joannes van Heutsz
| successor2 = J. van Limburg Stirum
| order3 =
| office3 = Governor-General of Suriname
| term_start3 = 14 November 1905
| term_end3 = 28 February 1908
| monarch3 = Wilhelmina
| predecessor3 = Cornelis Lely
| successor3 = Dirk Fock
| birth_name = Alexander Willem Frederik Idenburg
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1861|7|23|df=yes}}
| birth_place = Rotterdam, Netherlands
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1935|2|28|1861|7|23|df=yes}}
| death_place = The Hague, Netherlands
| restingplace =
| restingplacecoordinates =
| citizenship =
| nationality =
| party = Anti-Revolutionary
| otherparty =
| spouse =
| partner =
| relations =
| children =
| parents =
| residence =
| education =
| alma_mater =
| occupation =
| profession =
| cabinet =
| committees =
| portfolio =
| religion =
}}
Alexander Willem Frederik Idenburg (23 July 1861 – 28 February 1935) was a Dutch military officer and politician of the Anti-Revolutionary Party who served as Governor-General of Suriname from 1905 until 1908, and the Dutch East Indies from 1909 until 1916. He also served as Minister of Colonies on three occasions between 1902 and 1919. Idenburg served on the Council of State from 1925 until his death in 1935.{{in lang|nl}} [http://www.parlement.com/id/vg09ll1wtfwj/a_w_f_idenburg A.W.F. Idenburg], Parlement & Politiek. Retrieved on 17 January 2015.
Biography
Idenburg was born on 23 July 1861 in Rotterdam, Netherlands. At the age of 16, he was sent to Koninklijke Militaire Academie.{{cite web|url=http://resources.huygens.knaw.nl/bwn1880-2000/lemmata/bwn1/idenburg |title=IDENBURG, Alexander Willem Frederik (1861-1935) |author=Cees Fasseur |website=Huygens Institute for the History of the Netherlands|year=1979|access-date=25 January 2022|language=nl}} In 1881, he was commissioned second lieutenant at the military engineers of the Royal Netherlands East Indies Army (KNIL).{{cite news|url=https://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?query=Gouverneur+Idenburg&coll=ddd&page=2&facets%5Bspatial%5D%5B%5D=Suriname&identifier=ddd:010343766:mpeg21:a0001&resultsidentifier=ddd:010343766:mpeg21:a0001&rowid=2 |title=Een nieuwe Gouverneur |website=De Surinamer |date=19 September 1905|access-date=25 January 2022|language=nl}} In 1889–1890, he was sent to the Aceh War, but did not participate in the fighting. Between 1896 and 1901, he was the president of the cabinet of General Major J.A. Vetter.
During an 1894–1895 leave, Idenburg met Abraham Kuyper who became his political friend. In 1901, he ran for the House of Representatives and was elected. Idenburg returned to the Netherlands, and served in parliament until 25 September 1902. Subsequently he was appointed Minister of Colonies. In 1903, he passed the Decentralisation Law which allowed the East Indies to established independently financed regional councils. He served until 16 August 1905.
= Suriname =
On 14 September 1905, Idenburg was appointed Governor-General of Suriname. He arrived on 18 November 1905. During his tenure, he developed the "Idenburg Plan" in order to achieve financial independence for the colony, however it did not pass.{{cite journal|url=https://original-ufdc.uflib.ufl.edu/UF00099461/00019/60?search=idenburg |title=A.W.F. Idenburg als Gouverneur van Suriname|author=S. da Silva |pages=49–50 |language=nl|journal=New West Indian Guide |year=1936 |location=The Hague |publisher=M. Nijhoff}} As an orthodox protestant, he had refused attend parties and receptions which were held on Sunday. He passed the Sunday Law enforcing a mandatory free day on Sunday, and forced closure of all shops.{{cite news|url=https://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?query=zondagswet&coll=ddd&page=2&facets%5Bspatial%5D%5B%5D=Suriname&facets%5Bperiode%5D%5B%5D=1%7C20e_eeuw%7C1900-1909%7C&identifier=ddd:010341156:mpeg21:p003&resultsidentifier=ddd:010341156:mpeg21:a0016&rowid=4 |title=Zondagswet |website=De Surinamer|date=30 June 1908|access-date=25 January 2022|language=nl}} Four Muslim shopkeepers who closed their shops on Friday, but reopened on Sunday, were sentenced to a ƒ5,- fine.{{cite news|url=https://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?query=zondagswet&coll=ddd&page=2&facets%5Bspatial%5D%5B%5D=Suriname&facets%5Bperiode%5D%5B%5D=1%7C20e_eeuw%7C1900-1909%7C&identifier=ddd:010341163:mpeg21:a0022&resultsidentifier=ddd:010341163:mpeg21:a0022&rowid=5 |title=Zondagrust|website=Suriname|date=24 July 1908|access-date=25 January 2022|language=nl}} In February 1908, he applied for sick leave.{{cite news|url=https://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?query=Gouverneur+Idenburg&coll=ddd&identifier=MMKB23:001473152:mpeg21:a00008&resultsidentifier=MMKB23:001473152:mpeg21:a00008&rowid=5 |title=Gouverneur Idenburg |website=Het vaderland |date=29 February 1908|language=nl|access-date=25 January 2022}} On 28 February, he resigned as governor.
= Dutch East Indies =
File:Koeto reh.jpg by van Daalen taken on 14 June 1904 with the trench of dead civilians]]
From 18 May 1908 until 16 August 1909, Idenburg returned as Minister of Colonies. During his tenure, the atrocities of Gotfried van Daalen were revealed.{{cite news|url=https://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?query=koeta+reh&coll=ddd&page=2&sortfield=datedesc&identifier=ddd:011034426:mpeg21:p014&resultsidentifier=ddd:011034426:mpeg21:a0064&rowid=5 |title=Het Rapport Rost van Tonningen|website=Bataviaasch nieuwsblad |date=12 August 1908|language=nl|access-date=25 January 2022|quote={{lang|nl|Neemt den Gajoetocht (...) bij de verovering van Koeto Reh zijn afgemaakt 313 mannen, gevangen genomen geene; in gampong Likat 220 mannen gedood, 2 gewond, gevangen genomen geene; in gampong Koeta Lingat Baro 344 mannen gedood, 1 gewond, gevangen genomen geene; enz. enz.}}
Translation: Take the Gaju expedition (...) at the conquest of Kuto Reh, 313 men killed, none taken prisoner; in kampung Likat 220 men killed, 2 wounded, none taken prisoner; in kampung Kuta Lingat Baro 344 men killed, 1 wounded, none taken prisoner; etc. etc.}} Van Daalen had lost twelve men during the Aceh Wars, but – as is now known – to have caused at least 2,922 native deaths including at least 1,149 women and children. Idenburg defended van Daalen,{{cite news|url=https://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?query=atjeh+daalen&facets%5Bperiode%5D%5B%5D=2%7C20e_eeuw%7C1900-1909%7C1908%7C&page=1&coll=ddd&identifier=MMKB23:001668159:mpeg21:a00011&resultsidentifier=MMKB23:001668159:mpeg21:a00011&rowid=10 |title=De Atjeh-quaestie in de Tweede Kamer|website=De locomotief |date=30 October 1908|language=nl|access-date=25 January 2022|quote={{lang|nl|Minister Idenburg als zijne meening te kennen heeft gegeven: (...) 3. dat de gepleegde wreedheden niet noodeloos zijn bedreven, maar noodzakelijk waren tot breking van het verzet (...)}}
Translation: Minister Idenburg was of the opinion that: (...) 3. that the committed atrocities were not committed needlessly, but were necessary to break the resistance (...)}} but could not prevent an investigation into the massacre. Van Daalen decided to turn in his resignation. He was later controversially absolved of all crimes, and re-enlisted.{{cite web|url=http://resources.huygens.knaw.nl/bwn1880-2000/lemmata/bwn3/daalen |title=Daalen, Gotfried Coenraad Ernst van (1863-1930) |website=Huygens Institute for the History of the Netherlands|access-date=25 January 2022|language=nl}}
On 21 August 1909, Idenburg was appointed Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies where arrived on 18 December 1909. During his tenure, he was confronted by the nationalist movement. In 1912, Sarekat Islam was founded. Idenburg refused to take action against Sarekat Islam, but did not recognize the political party until 1916.
In 1913, Idenburg interned the journalist Ernest Douwes Dekker (a relative of Multatuli){{cite news|url=https://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?query=Idenburg+Douwes+Dekker&coll=ddd&identifier=MMKB19:000072039:mpeg21:a00008&resultsidentifier=MMKB19:000072039:mpeg21:a00008&rowid=6 |title=De Vrijzinnige Verdraagszaamheid |website=De Amsterdammer |date=27 August 1913|language=nl|access-date=25 January 2022}} for founding the Indische Party. In September 1913, Douwes Dekker was exiled from the Dutch East Indies and not allowed to travel to the Netherlands either.{{cite news|url=https://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?query=Douwes+Dekker+uitgezet&coll=ddd&page=1&facets%5Bperiode%5D%5B%5D=2%7C20e_eeuw%7C1910-1919%7C1913%7C&identifier=MMKB15:000662027:mpeg21:a00003&resultsidentifier=MMKB15:000662027:mpeg21:a00003&rowid=2 |title=Uit Oost-Indië |website=De Nederlander |date=27 September 1913|access-date=25 January 2022|language=nl}} In 1914, Douwes Dekker's writings were banned.{{cite news|url=https://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?query=Idenburg+Douwes+Dekker&coll=ddd&identifier=ddd:010324026:mpeg21:a0072&resultsidentifier=ddd:010324026:mpeg21:a0072&rowid=1 |title=De Regering en Douwes Dekkers|access-date=25 January 2022|language=nl|date=5 January 1914|website=Sumatra Post}} Idenburg tried to pass a Sunday Law in the Dutch East Indies, but only managed a watered down version. He served until 21 March 1916.
= Later life =
On 9 September 1918, Idenburg was reappointed as Minister of Colonies, but resigned on 13 November 1919 due to health problems. In 1923, he received the honorary title of Minister of State.{{cite news|url=https://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?query=Gouverneur+Idenburg&coll=ddd&page=1&facets%5Bspatial%5D%5B%5D=Suriname&identifier=ddd:110634592:mpeg21:a0046&resultsidentifier=ddd:110634592:mpeg21:a0046&rowid=6 |title=A.W. Idenburg|website=De West|date=1 March 1935 |access-date=25 January 2022|language=nl}} On 17 February 1925, he was appointed to the Council of State, an advisory council to the government.
Idenburg died on 28 February 1935 in The Hague, at the age of 73.{{cite news|url=https://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?query=Alexander+Idenburg&coll=ddd&identifier=ddd:010284783:mpeg21:a0169&resultsidentifier=ddd:010284783:mpeg21:a0169&rowid=9 |title=A.W.F. Idenburg|website=De Indische courant |date=1 March 1935|language=nl|access-date=25 January 2022}}
Honours
- {{flag|Netherlands}} Commander in the Order of the Netherlands Lion.{{cite news|url=https://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?query=gouverneur+idenburg+oranje-nassau&coll=ddd&identifier=MMNHA03:178977047:mpeg21:a00006&resultsidentifier=MMNHA03:178977047:mpeg21:a00006&rowid=4 |title=Koninklijke onderscheidingen|website=Nieuwe Haarlemsche courant |date=31 August 1907|language=nl|access-date=25 January 2022}}
- {{flag|Mecklenburg}} Grand Cross in the Order of Henry the Lion.{{cite web|url=https://www.nationaalarchief.nl/onderzoeken/index/nt00435/177b8a7a-d2d8-11e8-828a-00505693001d |title=Kanselarij der Nederlandse Orden: Index gedecoreerden, Achternaam: Idenburg |website=Dutch National Archive|access-date=25 January 2022|language=nl}}
- {{flag|Japan}} Grand Cross in the Order of the Sacred Treasure.
Gallery
File:Alexander_Willem_Frederik_Idenburg_(1861-1935)._Gouverneur-generaal_(1909-16)_Rijksmuseum_SK-A-3815.jpeg|Idenburg (1910s)
File:COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Gouverneur-Generaal A.W.F. Idenburg brengt een bezoek aan de Koloniale Tentoonstelling in Semarang TMnr 60026650.jpg|Visit to the Colonial Exhibition of Semarang (1914)
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Commons category-inline}}
{{s-start|noclear=no}}
{{s-off}}
{{s-bef|before=Titus van Asch van Wijck}}
{{s-ttl|title=Minister of Colonial Affairs|years=1902–1905}}
{{s-aft|rows=2|after=Dirk Fock}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=Cornelis Lely}}
{{s-ttl|title=Governor-General of Suriname|years=1905–1908}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=Theo Heemskerk}}
{{s-ttl|title=Minister of Colonial Affairs|years=1908–1909}}
{{s-aft|after=Jan Hendrik de Waal Malefijt}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=J. B. van Heutsz}}
{{s-ttl|title=Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies|years=1909–1916}}
{{s-aft|after=Count van Limburg Stirum}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=Thomas Bastiaan Pleyte}}
{{s-ttl|title=Minister of Colonial Affairs|years=1918–1919}}
{{s-aft|after=Simon de Graaff}}
{{s-end}}
{{NLColMin}}
{{VOC Governors}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Idenburg, Alexander Willem Frederik}}
Category:Anti-Revolutionary Party politicians
Category:Governors of Suriname
Category:Governors-general of the Dutch East Indies
Category:Ministers of colonial affairs of the Netherlands
Category:Ministers of state of the Netherlands
Category:Politicians from Rotterdam
Category:Royal Netherlands East Indies Army generals
Category:Royal Netherlands East Indies Army officers
Category:Commanders of the Order of the Netherlands Lion