CALL TO THE DUTCH

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 69, Issue 79, 13 January 1949, Page 5

CALL TO THE DUTCH

Holding of Indonesian Elections UNITED STATES’ VIEW OF POSITION (N.Z.P.A.— Copyright) NEW YORK, Jail. JL The United States to-day called on the Netherlands to lix a definite date for the holding of elections throughout Indonesia, Avith a vieAV to establishing the foundations of the United States of Indonesia.

Dr. Philip Jessup (United States delegate), addressing the United Nations Security Council, also called for the fixing of a date for the transfer of sovereignty from the Netherlands to the United States of Indonesia. He said that the elections should be held by secret ballot. Dr. Jessup asked that the Avithdrawal of the Dutch armies Avould start at the earliest possible date, and be undertaken as rapidly as law and order permitted. “The occupation must be completely terminated before an effecthe transfer of sovereignty can take place,” he said. “My Government believes that the time Avhich should elapse between the present and the date Avlien the elections should take place, and also the transfer of sovereignty, should be calculated in terms of months, not years.”

Criticism of the Soviet

'Dr. Jessup criticised the SoA'iet for its part in the. Indonesian affair. “No one doubts that the Communists in Indonesia, like- the other Communists throughout the world, are responsible to, and act in accordance with, Instructions from Moscoav,” he added.

. Charging Russia with attempting to obtain the overthrow of the Republican Government, Dr. Jessup said: “The Soviet has no interest in supporting the Republican Government, or in restoring peace to Indonesia. On the contrary, it is using its familiar tactics in Korea, Greece and Berlin, now in Indonesia. The Soviet does not Avant in independent Indonesia. It Avants Indonesia under the domination and control of a Communist minority, taking its orders from Moscoav.”

Dr. Jessup said that any military success gained by the Netherlands forces Avould not effect a solution of the Indonesian problem. The United States could not associate itself Avitli any aspect of tha Netherlands’ military actions. The problem remained a matter of international concern.

“It cannot be solved if we undertake it on the basis of the acceptance of the illegal use of force,” he concluded. He called on the Netherlands to release the Republican leaders whom it now held.

Reilly by Russian Delegate

Mr Jacob Malik (Soviet Union) accused Britain and the United States of covering up and encouraging Netherlands aggression. He said that the British and American majority on the Council had opposed proposals by the Soviet Union which Avould ha\ r e restrained the aggressor. The basis of the West European alliance was .that members should consult one another. Therefore the Netherlands’ aggression in Indonesia’ must have been carried out Avith the silent agreement of Britain, France, and Belgium. “The aggressive character of this union thus becomes all the more obvious,” said Mr Malik. Replying to Dr. Jessup’s criticism of the Soviet role in Indonesia, Mr Malik said: “No calumnies or insinuations concerning Moscow and the so-called Communist threat to Indonesia will help the United States representative to avoid the responsibility of the United States Government for the preparation and unleashing of aggression by the Netherlands.” He called the allegation of { a Communist threat in Indonesia’“fairy tales.” Mr Malik declared that the United States monopolists wanted a colonial Indonesia in order to make it easier for them to hold tlife Indonesian people in slavish dependence. The debate Avas adjourned until Friday.

AN EIGHT-POINT PROGRAMME

DUTCH PROGRESSIVE’S VIEW An eight-point programme to settle the Indonesian problem put forward by the Independent Socialist newspaper “Der Parool” has aroueed political interest in The -Hague. Points as outlined in a leading article by Frans Goedhart, an Extreme Progressive member of the Dutch Lower House, were:—•

(1) The unconditional liberation ,o£ all bona fide Republican leaders. (2) Tlie reinstallation of the Republican Government to enable members fully and freely to discuss what attitude they should adopt. , (3) The reopening of the discussions with the Republic under the auspices of the United Nations Good Offices Committee so that agreement could be reached on an amended decree establishing an interim Federal Government.

(4) The inclusion of a number of Republicans in the interim Government. (5) The fixing of the date when the interim period should end and a free and sovereign united States of Indonesia lie proclaimed. (G) The formation of an Indonesian Army from all parts of the territory. (7) The speedy preparation of genera] free and secret elections without Dutch interference.

(S) Tlie acknowledgment of the right of the future united states to decide for themselves whether to take part in a Dutch Indonesian union.

Guerilla Resistance

Republican guerilla resistance throughout Java continues on a considerable scale. In eastern and central Java guerilla interference with ground movement© is reported to he so severe that tlie Dutch are using air supply. Vehicle losses through road mines are reported to he heavy. Intense guerilla activity is also reported around Tasikmalaya, about 120 miles south-east of Batavia, and Sukabumi, about 50 miles couth of Batavia. The present fighting in Java claimed its first British victim when a 50-

year-old Scottish bachelor, Mr Ronald Macplierson, manager of the Tempeh rubber plantations, about 40 miles east of Malang, was killed during an attack on the estate by guerillas. According to unofficial reports guerrilla. activity in this area is go intense that the district is practically isolated. 1 GUERILLA ACTIVITIES “REPUBLICAN GANG DISPERSED” (Rec. 9.35) BATAVIA, Jan. 12. In the first, communique issued since they announced the cessation of hostilities the Dutch army to-day reported an attempt by Republican forces to infiltrate Jogjakarta on Sunday night. The communique stated that the Republicans destroyed a small transformer station, cut telephone wires and attempted to raise fires, but claimed that “the gang was dispersed and for the greater part wiped out by Netherlands troops.” The Dutch had two wounded. Meanwhile Republican reports reaching Batavia claim that guerilla, activities continue throughout. Java and Sumatra. The reports claimed that a, number of small towns had been reoccupied by Republicans. A further Republican report stated that guerilla forces in East Java are now concentrated east of Madium, in the Brantas Delta.