JAVA BANK CLOSES

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 71, Issue 35, 21 November 1950, Page 3

JAVA BANK CLOSES

Police Arrest Official JAKARTA, Nov. 20. The headquarters of Indonesia’s circulation bank—the Java Bank — were closed to the public to-day, after the arrest of one of its directors, Mr Spies, during a surprise city-wide swoop by troops and the police yesterday in a search for illegal arms. The bank announced that a military unit had arrested Mr Spies without getting in contact with the management, and added that all attempts to approach the authorities and point out that the arrest of one of the key employees could mean the closing of the bank to-day had proved fruitless. The announcement said: “Because it would not be in the interest of relations between the authorities and the bank if the bank opened before further negotiations, it was decided to close the bank to the public to-day.” Sources attached to the bank said privately that the closing of the bank was a protest against the arrest of Mr Spies. The Java Bank is a Dutch-con-trolled private bank under contract to the Indonesian Government as a circulation bank. Informed sources said to-day that troops and police yesterday also searched the home of the Ecomonic Adviser to the Dutch High Commisariat in Jakarta, Dr. Speekenbrink, who is now in the Netherlands, and that other Dutchmen were arrested. The Military Command announced this afternoon that yesterday’s action was ordered to check the “clandestine traffic of arms” and the increase in crime in Jakarta. Those arrested will be examined at the earliest possible moment to determine their further detention or release, said the announcement.