Algemeen handelsblad voor Nederlandsch-Indië
Algemeen handelsblad voor Nederlandsch-Indië was a Dutch-language newspaper published in Semarang from 1924 until the Japanese occupation ended its publication in 1942.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Algemeen handelsblad voor Nederlandsch-Indië was a Dutch-language newspaper established in Semarang in 1924 in the Dutch East Indies. It entered a competitive newspaper market in which De Locomotief was one of the leading Dutch-language titles. The new paper was produced using the presses of N.V. Drukkerij Benjamins and presented itself as a well-resourced publication, including a commitment to comprehensive wire-service coverage. The newspaper's initial editor was L.M.C. Hoogenstraaten. At launch, Hoogenstraaten described the paper as politically non-aligned while expressing support for the development of the colony and its population. His relationship with management later deteriorated, and the newspaper announced in June 1926 that he was no longer associated with the publication following a disagreement with management. Evert Jansen, who signed his work as E. Jansen, assumed editorial responsibilities in June 1926 and became the permanent full-time editor in January 1927. Jansen had experience with several newspapers in the Dutch East Indies, including De Locomotief, Bataviaasch Nieuwsblad, and Soerabaijasch Handelsblad. He was also involved in the Indo Europeesch Verbond and briefly represented that organization on the Semarang city council. His editorship ended in 1929, when he left Semarang for editorial positions at newspapers in East Java. W. Leertouwer succeeded Jansen in 1930. His tenure coincided with the Great Depression, which caused serious financial difficulties for N.V. Benjamins and placed pressure on the newspaper. The title also encountered intervention by the colonial authorities. Its publication license was temporarily suspended during restrictions imposed on Dutch-language newspapers reporting on the Zeven Provinciën mutiny, a naval uprising whose coverage was considered capable of encouraging wider labor unrest. In 1936, the more popular De Locomotief took over the newspaper. Algemeen handelsblad voor Nederlandsch-Indië continued to operate as a separate title, with Leertouwer and P. Scheepers retained as editors. Scheepers became the principal editor during the paper's final years, beginning around 1939. In addition to his newspaper work, he was associated with the Indo Europeesch Verbond and local sporting organizations in Semarang, and had editorial experience with the football magazine De Stadion-Revue. The newspaper ceased publication at some point in early 1942 after the Japanese occupation of the Dutch East Indies. It did not resume after the Second World War. Its historical significance lies in its role as a Dutch-language colonial newspaper, its competition with established Semarang titles, and its exposure to the economic, political, and press-control pressures of the late colonial period.
History
Algemeen handelsblad voor Nederlandsch-Indië was founded in Semarang in 1924 as a Dutch-language competitor to De Locomotief. The publication was produced at the presses of N.V. Drukkerij Benjamins and entered the market with an emphasis on substantial news-gathering capacity, including promised full wire-service coverage. Its founding editor, L.M.C. Hoogenstraaten, presented it as politically non-aligned while describing the newspaper as supportive of the development of the land and its people. The first editorial transition came in 1926. In June of that year, the newspaper reported that Hoogenstraaten had left after a disagreement with management. Evert Jansen then assumed editorial duties. Jansen had worked for several newspapers in the Dutch East Indies and had recently been a correspondent for Soerabaijasch Handelsblad in Yogyakarta. His appointment became permanent in January 1927. Beyond journalism, Jansen participated in the Indo Europeesch Verbond and in 1929 briefly served as the organization's representative on the Semarang city council. Jansen's period as editor included a press-offense prosecution. In 1929 he was held responsible for publishing an article that was judged insulting to the reputation of a dismissed school official, who had been accused in the article of forgery and misappropriation of school funds. Jansen was convicted and fined 150 guilders, with fourteen days' imprisonment offered as an alternative. Later in 1929 he left the newspaper and Semarang for editorial work in East Java, including positions connected with De Malanger and De Indische Courant. W. Leertouwer took over editorial duties in 1930. His tenure coincided with the economic crisis of the Great Depression, which seriously affected N.V. Benjamins and created financial difficulties for the newspaper. The publication also faced government restrictions linked to reporting on the Zeven Provinciën mutiny, a 1933 uprising aboard a Dutch naval vessel. Colonial officials feared that continuing coverage could contribute to labor unrest, and the newspaper's publishing license was temporarily suspended along with those of other Dutch-language titles. In 1936, De Locomotief acquired the newspaper. Although the acquisition placed it under the control of a stronger competitor, Algemeen handelsblad voor Nederlandsch-Indië continued as a separate title. Leertouwer and P. Scheepers remained involved as editors. Scheepers became the editor associated with the final phase of the newspaper, around 1939 to 1942. He was active in the Indo Europeesch Verbond and in Semarang sporting organizations, including football and cycling circles. He had also worked on the newspaper during Leertouwer's period and edited the football publication De Stadion-Revue. The newspaper ceased publication in early 1942 during the Japanese occupation of the Dutch East Indies. The exact final issue date is not established in the available reference material. The title did not return after the war, ending an approximately eighteen-year run in the Dutch-language colonial press.
- 1942
Publication ends
[1]The newspaper ceases publication during the Japanese occupation of the Dutch East Indies and does not return after the war.
- 1936
Acquisition by De Locomotief
[1]De Locomotief takes over the newspaper, which continues to be published as a separate title.
- 1930
Leertouwer becomes editor
[1]W. Leertouwer succeeds Jansen during a period of increasing economic pressure associated with the Great Depression.
- 1930
Temporary publication-license suspension
[1]The newspaper is temporarily restricted during colonial authorities' response to press coverage of the Zeven Provinciën mutiny.
- 1929
Press-offense conviction
[1]Editor Evert Jansen is convicted over an article considered defamatory toward a dismissed school official.
- 1927
Jansen's editorial appointment becomes permanent
[1]Evert Jansen takes on the editor's role on a permanent, full-time basis.
- 1926
Founding editor departs
[1]L.M.C. Hoogenstraaten leaves after a reported disagreement with management, and Evert Jansen assumes editorial responsibility.
- 1924
Newspaper founded in Semarang
[1]Algemeen handelsblad voor Nederlandsch-Indië begins publication as a Dutch-language competitor to De Locomotief, using the presses of N.V. Drukkerij Benjamins.
Products and positioning
A Dutch-language general newspaper for readers in the Dutch East Indies, positioned as a politically non-aligned but development-oriented publication and differentiated by promised full wire-service coverage.
Dutch-language newspaper · 1924
Algemeen handelsblad voor Nederlandsch-Indië
The title's principal product was its newspaper edition for Dutch-speaking readers in the Dutch East Indies. It combined general news, editorial material, local reporting, and colonial public-affairs coverage, and was launched with an emphasis on broad wire-service access. It remained a distinct newspaper even after De Locomotief took control in 1936. Publication ended during the Japanese occupation in early 1942.
Controversies
Brand decisions
1936
De Locomotief acquires the newspaperM&ABackground
The newspaper faced a difficult competitive and financial environment, while De Locomotief was the more popular Dutch-language title in the market.
Action taken
De Locomotief took control of Algemeen handelsblad voor Nederlandsch-Indië but continued publishing it as a separate newspaper.
Aftermath
Leertouwer and P. Scheepers remained as editors, and the title continued until it stopped during the Japanese occupation in 1942.
Sources2 sources
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