ALL SUGGESTIONS REJECTED

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 67, Issue 244, 28 July 1947, Page 3

ALL SUGGESTIONS REJECTED

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright.) NEW YORK, July 26.

Colonel W. Rf Hodgson, Australian delegate to the United Nations, said to-day that the Australian Government was consulting with other governments about requesting the United Nations .to intervene in the fighting in Indonesia., An announcement by the Australian Prime Minister, Mr J. B. Chifley, that Australia has decided to move that the Dutch-Indonesian conflict be referred to the Security Council of the United Nations is expected in the next few days, states a Canberra message. Mr Chifley will emphasise that the Australian Government’s attitude is

strictly neutral. Three ways discussions have been taking place between , Mr Chifley in Queensland, Dr. H. V. Evatt in Japan, and the High Commissioner, Mr J. A. Beasley, in London.

The Australan Government has, it is understood, instructed its ' ConsulGeneral in Batavia, Mr B. C. Ballard,

to decline the Indonesian request that he represent the Indonesian Republic’s diplomatic interests with neutral countries, says the “Sydney Morning Herald.” The Government is expected to

Efforts To Halt Indonesians

A Dutch Navy communique to-night reports that landing parties from the Netherlands warships Evertsen and Banckert landed at Tegal, 40 miles east of Cheribon, in order to check the destruction of the city even before the arrival of Dutch troops.

The occupation of the harbqp area -yyas completed without delay. The communique adds that from to-mor-row, the harbours'at Cheribon, Probolinggo and Banjuwangi will be opened to normal trade. The January regulations demanding that every vessel submit to investigation at Batavia, Semarang or Sourabaya have been abrogated.

A Republican communique issued to-night says the Dutch are using, the lull strength of'their ground forces at Semarang, 'supported by tanks, aircraft and warships, in the harbour, to halt the Indonesian advance on the port. The communique claims that the Republicans repulsed a Dutch attack from Modjokero on Dawarblandong, and that the Indonesians are advancing on Modjokerto. It states that Dutch warships yesterday shelled the port of Grisse, west of Sourabaya, wounding five and destroying many buildings. The communique indicates that Tegal “was turned into a sea of fire.” In Western Java Republican forces yesterday reoccupied Tjimahi, six miles west-north-west of Bandung, and Sidangwangi, three miles north of Tjitjalengka. Ten hours of continuous fighting raged on both sides of the Brantas River, west of Modjokerto yesterday, when the Dutch used 11 tanks and supporting infantry in an endeavour to break the Republican siege, says an Antara broadcast over Jogjakarta radio.

The enemy finally succeeded in dispersing the Indonesian positions by a barrage from field guns, tanks and aircraft.

A Dutch armoured column moved towards Gempolkerep, three milest west of Modjokerto.

MEDIATION IN INDONESIAN DISPUTE

Attitude Of Dutch Government

Dutch sources reported to-day that the Netherlands Government had rejected all suggestions for outside mediation in the Indonesian dispute, says the Nanking correspondent of the United Press.

They added that in the Note which the Dutch Ministry of Internal Affairs delivered to the Chinese Government* the Netherlands took the view that the fighting was purely an internal affair. The Note is reported to have expressed concern over the conflict, but added that the Netherlands did not want third-party mediation at this time.

Copies of the Note were sent to the representatives of Britain and the United States.

Observers in Nanking believe that the Dutch Note doomed any further attempts to end the dispute with outside help except, possibly, through the United Nations, but it is pointed out that its Charter forbids the United Nations from interfering in a sovereign nation’s internal affairs.

reply that the Indonesian Republic had no diplomatic representation in Batavia before "this week’s conflict started. There would, therefore, be no interests which the Australian representative could take over. At the same time, according to authoritative sources, Australia is still prepared to offer its good offices to help bring about a settlement of the conflict with the Dutch.

The de facto authority of the Indonesian Republic is .still recognised by Australia. The Dutch Commissioner-General to Indonesia did not support the Dutch military action in Indonesia, said Mr Frans Toedhart, a Labour member of the Dutch Parliament on his arrival at Amsterdam from the Netherlands East Indies.

Mr Toedhart said Dr. H. van Moolc, Lieutenant-Governor, after meeting the commissioners, Professors W. Schermerhorn and van Poll, cabled the Government on his own account that it was unanimously agreed that there was no other possibility than military action. Professor Schermerhorn then cabled the Prime Minister, Dr. Louis Beel, that he did not agree with the turn events were taking.

A Republican Army communique, quoted by radio, stated that a lone Dutch fighter for seven hours strafed Malang with dumdum bullets. It added that fighting continues at Lumudjang after a Dutch landing at Pasirian, 10 miles south-west. The Dutch massacred all in the city wearing uniform, and arrested many Indonesian youths. Mr Soeparna, secretary of the Union of Plantation Workers, speaking on Jogjakarta radio, revealed that plans, have been completed to transform 500* plantations throughout West Java into “roaring oceans of fire,” if the Republican® are unable to hold the areas. No rubber, quinine, tea or coffee would be allowed to fall into the hands of the Dutch, he said. More than a decade would be required to make the plantations productive once more. The Australian Government is. in touch with the Dutch authorities and the Indonesian Government to try and find a peaceful way out of the present conflict in the East Indies, according to the Canberra correspondent of the “Sydney Morning Herald.” He states that Australian and other interested Governments are trying to bring the two parties into confei*ence. If the present methods fail, Canberra sources state that Australia may be forced to seek other ways of ending the dispute, which might involve referring the question to the Security Council of the United Nations. .

The Dutch freighter Tjibesar slipped away from Melbourne only partly loaded, and without waiting for a pilot. The captain applied for a pilot, but when one arrived, he found the vessel well out in Port Phillip Bay.

The Tjibesar negotiated unaided the tricky channel at the Rip, which is reckoned a task for a pilot experienced in local conditions. The Victorian Marine Board may prosecute the Dutch master, as it is an offence to take a vessel to sea without a pilot. \