Merauke, en wat daaraan voorafging De Aarde en haar Volken, 1908

In the early 1900s the Dutch colonial administration finally turned its attention to the remote southeastern coast of New Guinea. A new mail‑steamer service began in 1891, sailing from Ternate to the far‑flung villages at the 141° line, but the first trips met only empty beaches and wary inhabitants who fled at the sight of the steamship’s smoke. When the vessel finally reached a sizable hamlet—later recorded as Sileraka—the Dutch flag was planted and a brief, hopeful walk through the settlement hinted at a possible foothold.

The colonial government stationed the postmaster of Patani, accompanied by a small armed contingent, to act as a permanent representative. He and a Catholic missionary raised the Dutch banner, exchanged gestures of goodwill, and tried to learn the local language and customs, hoping gentle persuasion would curb the occasional raids that began to trouble the newcomers. Yet by the winter of 1893 the initial friendliness gave way to more serious attacks, leaving the outpost isolated and its crew forced to abandon the settlement under the threat of further violence.