Johann Schild dining with his guests

In 1897 Schild was named German Consul, and was recognised by the Dutch administration as the representative of the German empire for the region of Sumatra's Westkust (Minangkabau), the west coast of Aceh, including Uleh-leh, Pulau Bras, and Pulau Weh. In 1911, after Schild had returned from a stay in Europe, he was recognised as the honorary consul of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.