Snouck's advice to pursue a different policy in Aceh was ignored by the Dutch government for years. Instead, they relied on an alliance with Teuku Umar (sitting in the chair in the photo), who Snouck considered a ‘political adventurer’. In 1893, the Dutch appointed Teuku Umar as Panglima Prang Besar [Great War Leader], with the right to maintain an army of 250 men at Dutch expense. However, in March 1896, Teuku Umar sided with the Acehnese resistance, which paved the way for the implementation of the policy advocated by Snouck.
Teuku Umar and his followers in front of his home in Lam Pisang, 1896, inv.nr. KITLV 6592 (cutout)