JAVA FIGHTING

Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24742, 6 December 1945, Page 5

JAVA FIGHTING

NO IMPROVEMENT AT BANDOENG

IN Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 12.30 a.m.) BATAVIA,' Dec. 5. "The situation at Bandoeng has not improved," says Reuter's correspondent in Java. "The extremists are carrying out an arson campaign in the northern sectors, instead of withdrawing from them in compliance with last week's British ultimatum.

"Gurkhas with tanks and artillery attacked a building which the Indonesians set on fire before withdrawing. Fighting, has again broken out at Ambarawa/ the refugee camp centre." Dakotas yesterday began a shuttle service between Batavia and Bandoeng, flying the 4th Mahrattas to Bandoeng, where the situation had deteriorated.

The Dutch News Agency reports that British reinforcements and mortars repelled extremists' attacks against the British Headquarters in u n , doeng - British warships again shelled Indonesian concentrations at Semarang. The Allied-controlled Bandoeng radio said that British and Indian casualties in Java to December totalled 845, comprising 21 British and 110 Indians killed, 57 British and 471 Indians wounded, and seven British and 179 Indians missing. "A conference of Allied military commanders, over which Admiral Lord Mountbatten will preside, at Singapore on Thursday, will discuss the problems of Java and Indo-China," said the correspondent of the Associated Press at Singapore. "The Chief of the Imperial General Staff (Lor.d Alanbrooke) will be among the high-rank-ing officers present."

INDONESIANS' AIMS

REFUSAL TO ACCEPT DOMINION STATUS

BATAVIA, December 4. In an interview to-day the Indonesian Prime Minister (Sutan Sjahrir) said that the Indonesians would not | accept Dominion statuts. He added: "We do not mean by independence living alone. Our meaning of independence certainly recognises the importance of having ties, especially ,vith countries economically and geographically close to us."

Sutan Sjahrir said that he accepted the official statement of the British role in Java.

"We do not think that the British have done anything to show that they are systematically working in the direction of restoring Dutch sovereignty,"'he said. Answering questions, Sjahrir said he did not think that American or Allied intervention was the only way to achieve a peaceful settlement of the Indonesian problem. "We do not exclude the possibility of direct negotiation with the Dutch," he declared. "We think that they may change their minds and recognise the Indonesians* right to independence. We think that there is still a large field that can be covered by negotiation, but that will come after recognition. If the Dutch are prepared to recognise the Republic, we are prepared to give them concessions and make treaties."

ATROCITIES AGAINST INDIAN PRISONERS

REPORT ON EVENTS AT SOURABAYA

BATAVIA, December 4. "Murder, torture, starvation, beating, eye gouging, and the amputation of limbs were among the atrocities committed by Indonesian extremists against Indian prisoners after the landing at Sourabaya," says a report received by the Allied commander (Lieutenant-General Christison) from the commander of the 49th Indian Infantry Brigade. The report added that the limbs of one captured officer were dismembered after his murder and rfung from one person to another.

Describing the sequence of events, the report says that all went well at first and an agreement was made with Dr. Moestopo and other moderates. There seemed every prospect of removing the Japanese and evacuating .women an* children. However, Dr. Moestopo secretly left Sourabaya on October 27, and the next day a carefully planned attack, supported by tanks and armoured cars, was launched against all the British forces by 20,000 Japanese-trained and armed regular Indonesian troops and by an uncontrolled mob of 120,000 armed with Japanese rifles, swords, poisoned spears, clubs and daggers.

TRUMAN'S LABOUR PROPOSALS

ATTACK BY C.1.0. PRESIDENT

(Rec. 10 p.m.) WASHINGTON, Dec. 5 Making a charge that the United States Administration was completely ignoring human rights in current industrial problems, the president of the Congress of Industrial Organisations (Mr Philip Murray) attacked Mr Truman's labour programme. "The design of the specific legislative proposals is to weaken and ultimately destroy the unions," said Mr Murray. "Therefore the C.1.0. shall mobilise its entire membership and the American people to defeat this measure and all similar attempts directed against labour." He added that the Administration had embarked on a policy of continued appeasement of American industry in face of its contemptuous attitude towards the American people and towards the Government itself.

Mr Truman, in a message to Congress announcing that he is establishing a factfinding board to handle the General Motors strike and the threatened sttel strike asked Congress for permanent machinery to handle labour disputes in important nation-wide industries. Mr Truman proposed that, upon certification bv the Secretary of Labour that a dispute' continued despite his efforts and that a stoppage of work in an effected industry would vitally affect the public interest, the President or his agent should be empowered to appoint a fact-finding board within five days, in which it would be unlawful to call a strike, lock-out or change of rates of pay, hours, working conditions, or practices existing before the dispute The board should be composed of three or more outstanding citizens to investigate all relevant facts, with power to subpi?en.a j lndiv iduals and records. The board should report facts with recommendations vvithm 20 days unless the date was extended by agreement with the approval of the President. The parties would not be legally bound to accept findings or follow the board's recommendations, but the public would know all the facts.

PAMPHLET TO YOUNG CONSERVATIVES

ATTACK BY LABOUR PARTY OFFICIAL

LONDON, December 4. The secretary of the British Labour Party (Mr Morgan Phillips) issued a statement last night attacking a Conservative Party pamphlet, declaring that Conservative leaders must either explain or withdraw it without delay " ssysthe political correspondent of the "Daily Herald."

The pamphlet, which is addressed to young Conservatives, tells them that, in addition to acting as stewards at meetings, they can provide, in times of political excitement, efficient bodyguards for candidates ahrf other speakers who are liable to receive rough treatment, thereby helping to keep the peace." The "Daily Herald" adds that several Labour members of the House of Commons intend raising the matter in the House, saying that the call for bodyguards savours too much of the Hitler and Mussolini political technjque. A Party official told the "Daily Mirror" that it was only one of many suggestions to young Conservatives on how they could help the party, "it may never be acted on. It is really a precautionary measure—a safeguard against rowdy opposition," he said. I