FEDERAL ARMY FOR INDIES

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25767, 31 March 1949, Page 5

FEDERAL ARMY FOR INDIES

DUTCH ANNOUNCE SCHEME (Rec. 12.30 p.m.) BATAVIA, Mar. 30. The Dutch Army Headquarters today announced plans for the formation of an Indonesian Federal Army which by the end of the year is expected to total about 23,000 men. The new force will, according to the official communique, “For the time being take over tire cardinal duty of the troops of the Army in Indonesia, with regard to recovery and the maintenance of law and peace. As long as the United States of Indonesia has not been formed, they may be considered as pre-Federal troops for the time being administratively belonging to the member State from which they come.” The communique added: “It is expected that the big problem will be the lack of technically educated recruits. In the beginning, the training of the Federal troops will still need the help of the Dutch forces, particularly in the technical and administrative branches, until this personnel can be gradually replaced ‘by a competent Indonesian cadre.” The communique said that into the Federal Army plan would also fit former Republican fighting groups which had realised that they might better give their ability to the reconstruction of their country and the protection of their own people rather than to continuing hostilities and committing arsen.