Hendrik Merkus, Baron de Kock as painted by Cornelis Kruseman. Suppressing local uprisings by arresting the native leader, Prince Diponegoroafter inviting him to come in peace and negotiate with you? And getting raised to the nobility because of it? What a Kock! Everyone knows wars are meant to be won by tactics: Had Kock outmanoeuvred the enemy and penetrated their flank, it at least would be expected of a military man of the time. But to trick a man into surrendering himself to you under false pretences? ...Er, this getting a bit too much? ...Probably: best we move on.
De Kock became impotent in the affairs of the Dutch East Indies when he left his post as Lieutenant Governor-General in 1830, the year Johannes van den Bosch became Governor-General. Did they meet? Possibly! But if Kock was a bit stiff when they met, well, only to be expected when someone else is coming into your position.
This Signpost "Featured content" report covers material promoted from 21 to 27 December 2014.
