ABSTRACT
Initially the reforms proposed by government commissioner Otto van Rees were resolutely stonewalled at the highest colonial level. The Governor-General did not confirm receipt of the report and thank him for the dedication with which he had fulfilled his assignment until the end of August 1869, two years after Van Rees had submitted it. Why did it take so long? The pressure was off because, during the debate in parliament on the budget for the East Indies for 1868, the Minister for the Colonies had made it clear that he was not convinced of the necessity or urgency of the recommendations. He explained his hesitation by arguing that a system so steeped in tradition should not be abolished so lightly. His reticence was clearly fed by the difference in opinion among the managers of the colonial machinery about changing the regime. Governor-General Pieter Mijer used this pause in the proceedings to express his reservations about Van Rees’ viewpoint and proposals in a memorandum to the Minister. A copy was also sent to Christiaan van der Moore, who was still Resident of the Priangan Regencies and a warm advocate of Van Rees’ opinions, and to the Director of the colonial Civil Service. The discussion that arose in a small circle had to remain behind closed doors and when the documents were sent to the two senior officials, they were instructed not to make them public.
