STATE OF FLUX

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 66, Issue 69, 2 January 1946, Page 4

STATE OF FLUX

POLITICAL SITUATION IN INDIES RUMOUR OF RISING DENIED (N.Z. Press Association —Copyright.) (Ree. 2 p.m.) BATAVIA, January 1. At least one British soldier was killed and several wounded in an outburst of shooting which greeted the New Year. Hysterical shooting by drunken men set off a blaze of gunfire throughout the city lasting an hour. Many groups were convinced that a new coonflict had broken out*.

Adding to the mass hysteria came a rumour that a general Indonesian uprising was set for midnight. The police state that the rumour is groundless. They believe that the shooting was entirely due to drunkenness and nervousness.

The Australian Associated Press correspondent says the Allied command is slowly progressing with its two tasks in Java, but. it is authoritatively stated that there is no basis for the suggestion that March 1 has been fixed tor the withdrawal of British forces. This will depend largely on the speed with which the Japanese are concentrated on the coast for the transhipment, task which the Indonesian peace preservation corps will perform if the' present negotiations succeed.

Though women and children in Rapwi camps are now much less vulnerable, the shipping shortage is still vitiating Rapwi efforts. - ,

Politically the situation is in a state of flux until Dr. Van Mook’s return, approximately on January 10, when a new offer to the Indonesians will he made. It is impossible even to speculate whether a compromise can he reached, although the atmosphere is now more favourable than it has been for many weeks. The Indonesians still stand firmly by their demand for acknowledgment of their right to full independence as a preliminary to further negotiations.