TRUCE TALKS IN INDONESIA

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 25020, 31 October 1946, Page 7

TRUCE TALKS IN INDONESIA

CONCESSIONS MADE BY DUTCH POLITICAL AGREEMENT EXPECTED (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 9.30 p.m.) LONDON? Oct. 30. The Batavia correspondent of “The Times” says theAmood in Batavia regarding the outcome of the discussions between the Dutch Commission-Gene-ral and the Indonesian leaders continues to be one of subdued optimism, and it is confidently expected that a preliminary political agreement will be reached before the British troops leave on November 30. This optimism •has been heightened by the peaceful arrival of Dutch forces at Buitenzorg and Palembang after agreements with the Indonesians, and by the switching on of the water supply at Sourabaya. “Elaborate precautions are being taken to prevent leakages to the press, but it is widely felt that the commis-sion-general have made clear to the Indonesians their readiness to grant a substantial measure of recognition to the Republican regime, otherwise the Dutch would not be receiving such a remarkable degrbe of co-operation from the Indonesians,” adds the correspondent. “The implementation of the truce hangs on this all-important question of recognition. Once a preliminary agreement is reached there will follow a long period of negotiation in which details of the new relationship between Holland and Indonesia will be worked out*’

“The first contingent of Dutch troops, who are replacing British and Indian troops in Sumatra, has'landed at Palembang.” says the correspondent of the Associated Press. Not a single incident marred the landings, which both the Dutch and Indonesians regarded as the first major test of the military truce. “Five thousand Japanese, who have been guarding the oil installations, have now’ been withdrawn from duty, and will be repatriated to Japan shortly.”