Tjoe Bou San

Tjoe Boe San (born around 1892 in Batavia, Dutch East Indies, died 1925 in Batavia) was a Chinese nationalist, translator and newspaper editor in the Dutch East Indies, most notably editor and director of the influential Indonesian Chinese newspaper Sin Po until his death in 1925. Along with Kwee Kek Beng, he was a key member of the "Sin Po Group" (named after the newspaper) which was a political faction of the Indonesian Chinese which believed that they should stay out of Dutch colonial politics and remain focused on China.

Biography

Early life Tjoe was the son of Tjoe Hoat Hin, a textile dealer at Pasar Gelap in Batavia. He studied in a Dutch private school and a Chinese school where he formally learned Hokkien, and could soon read English, Malay and Chinese. The book featured a debate between Tjoe and Yap Hong Tjoen, a member of the Chung Hwa Hui, who believed that Chinese should be focused on Dutch colonial politics.

Literary career

During his entire career as a journalist and newspaper editor, Tjoe was a prolific writer and translated. His works were published serially in various newspapers as well as in book format. His main focus was on translating European novels and the works of Confucius into Malay.

Death

He died in 1925 in Batavia at age 34. After his death, some of his close friends took over his duties at Sin Po. Ang Jan Goan became director, a position he held for several decades, and Kwee Kek Beng became editor in chief.

Selected works

Penghidoepan radja Belgie, satoe tjerita jang betoel telah kedjadian di Europa (Malay: Way of Life of a Belgian king, a story that really happened in Europe) (1913), translation from unknown source Satoe djodo jang terhalang (Malay: Two mates who were interfered with) (1917, pseudonymously as Hauw San Liang) Tjerita pendjahat di Parys (1917, pseudonymously as Hauw San Liang) translation of unknown French language novel, first published serially in Tjhoen Tjhioe Dengan satalen mengitari boemi (1918), translation of French language novel Les cinq sous de Lavarède by Paul d'Ivoi and Henri Chabrillat. Djadi korbannja napsoe atawa siotjia idoeng poeti : satoe tjerita jang belon lama soeda kedjadian di Soerabaja (Malay: Victim of lust, or, the white-nosed girl: a story which took place in Surabaya not long ago) (1918) Binasa lantaran harta (Malay: Perish because of wealth) (pseudonymously as San Ling Hauw, year unknown) Pergerakan Tionghoa di Hindia Olanda dan Mr. P.H. Fromberg Sr. (Malay The Chinese movement in the Indies and Mr. P.H. Fromberg Sr.) (1921) Lima tahon kamoedian : samboengan dari tjerita The Loan Eng (Malay: Five year later: continuation of the story of The Loan Eng) (1922, pseudonymously as Getoel Gaet)