NETHERLANDS INDIES

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24800, 14 February 1946, Page 5

NETHERLANDS INDIES

Flare-up In Java; Role Of Japanese In Sumatra

INDONESIAN MOVE FOR INQUIRY BY UNO

(N.Z. Press Association —Copyright) (Rec. 11.45 p.m.) BATAVIA, Feb. 13. The most serious flare-up in the Batavia disfrict for several weeks occurred in the notorious Bekassia area, eight miles from the centre of the city, reports the Australian Associated Press correspondent. Two battalions of Indians, supported by tanks, cleared 25 roadblocks, searched several villages, and after dislodging snipers reached Bekassi. Dutch forces searched a large number of villages four miles south-east of Batavia, made 50 arrests, and recovered some arms. Minor opposition was encountered. One Dutch officer and one other rank were killed and two others wounded. Two thousand Japanese have been evacuated from Sumatra, but 70,000 remain there. The position is very different from that in Java, as the great majority of the Japanese are still armed, and because the Allied troops are concentrated at the three main centres of Medan, Palembang, and Padang, the large forces of Japanese in the inland areas are still under their own control. The Japanese generally are being used to maintain law and order, and in some parts they have figured in a combat role. Only 2500 civilian internees, all Dutch and native women and children remain in Indonesian hands.

The Central Committee of the Indonesian Republican National Committee, which is equivalent to a caucus executive, has requested the Republican Government to invite UNO to send a committee of investigation to Java. The objects are stated to be: (1) an inquiry similar to that desired by the Soviet and Ukraine delegates; and (2) to investigate how many members of the Dutch Nazi Party are still carrying out their “untramelled activities” among the Dutch in Indonesia.

DECISION BY UNO DEFERRED

When the Security Council met today the Ukrainian delegate (Mr Manuilsky) said he had been instructed to demand an immediate decision on his proposal that a commission of inquiry should be sent to Indonesia to investigate the activities of the British troops, says a correspondent. Just as the vole was to be taken, however, the Egyptian delegate moved an amendment that the Council defer action, reserving the right to act as it thought proper at a later date.

The chairman (Mr Makin) then suggested an adjournment to enable a proper study of the Egyptian proposal, and the Council adjourned until tomorrow.

Britain Australia, France, the United States, Holland, and Brazil, during previous discussions on the Ukraine complaint, had voiced their opposition to Mr Manuilsky’s demand for a commission. Russia, Poland. China, and Mexico had given their support. Egypt was the only country represented which had not indicated its attitude. Mr Manailsky, although allowed to speak, would not have been able to vote, as the Ukraine is not a member of the Security Council. When the Egyptian delegate indicated that he wished to move an amendment, Mr Makin sought the Council’s opinion as to whether, having spoken before, the delegate could now intervene with a new proposal. The Council gave him permission to move what he described as an amendment. This urged that the British troops in Indonesia should in, no-.cir-cumstances be used against the Indonesian national movement and'should be withdrawn as soon as their task was completed. It the hope that the present negotiations would be successful, and that the Council should be informed of the progress of the negotiations. When the discussion was resumed to-day Senor Diaz (Mexico) regretted the absence of a permanent organ to provide the Council with information on such problems. Immediate establishment of such machinery was impossible. and therefore the Security Council should be willing to establish a temnorarv commission to have the facts brought to notice. Such a commission should he imnar+fel. Bidault Proposes Solution

■ M. Bidault (France), opposing a commission, argued that it would not fulfil any useful purpose. The proper method of finding a peaceful solution would be by direct negotiation. M. Bidault expressed the opinion that the presence pf British troops in Indonesia was not a danger to international peace and security. He suggested that from a practical viewpoint it was better not to put the matter to the vote, for there was no doubt that the Ukrainian proposal would not receive sufficient votes for its adoption. He thought it best to seek the solution by the chairman making a de-

claration and taking a note of all statements made. Senor De Freitas (Brazil) supported Mr Stettiaius’s opinion that any commission should be composed of competent individuals, not State members. Mr Modzelewski (Poland) said that Indonesia was linked by principle with Poland, which had so long been deprived of national independence. It seemed clear that the Indonesian Nationalist movement had become so strong that the Council was face to face with a great struggle. The difficulties of obtaining information would be overcome if the Council sent a commission to inquire and establish the facts on the spot. The purpose of the commission would not be to call into question the presence of British troops, whom they did not ask should be withdrawn. The commission would be interested in the political question. Dr. van Kieffens (Holland) said he believed a case had not been made out. He opposed a commission of inquiry. He said he would not object—not that he would approve—to a commission if both the British and Ukrainian Governments wanted it. “I cannot admit that if a commission were sent it should deal with or mediate in what is a domestic question, namely, the talks now taking place between the Netherlands Government and the nationalist leaders,” he said. Dr. van Kieffens added that a commission might have a confusing effec* on the negotiations now taking place. Manuilsky Insists Mr Manuilsky then said he had been instructed to insist on a decision either way. He added that- if the use of Japanese troops against the Indonesians were a purely internal question, as sugg’sted by the French delegate, the ouncil must say so. The Council could not follow the example of Pontius Pilate —“Who are we to decide that we wash our hands of the wrongdoing which has taken place?” Mr Manuilsky regretted that representatives were not there to defend their own case. Telegrams were being sent to Mr Truman, Mr Attlee, and Mr Stalin, he said. Telegrams were being sent appealing to the world to avoid bloodshed. He submitted that the Council was in a position to avoid the shedding of further blood. They would have to determine whether, in fact, the troops had been engaged in setting fire to Indonesian villages, as reported. After submitting that Brigadier Mallaby’s assassination was the act, not of the Indonesian popular movement but of Japanese agents, Mr Manuilsky said: “I submit that the proposed commission could do much good. I appeal to you to make a clear decision. The memory of Pontius Pilate is not happy.” The Egyptian delegate then moved his amendment. Mr Vyshinsky (Russia) said the amendment deserved serious study. It might help in reaching agreement, which all desired. The Council adjourned until 9 p.m. on Wednesday.