REACTIONS OF DUTCH

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28451, 4 December 1957, Page 15

REACTIONS OF DUTCH

Plan To Protect Nationals (Rec. 11.30 p.m.) THE HAGUE, December 3. The Dutch destroyer Evertsen would sail for Dutch New Guinea next Tuesday, the Navy announced today. The Evertsen would relieve the frigate Johan Maurits van Massau earlier than planned. No reason for the change of plan was given, but the Dutch Government was said yesterday to be planning precautionary measures for the protection of its 60,000 nationals in Indonesia. Indonesia yesterday banned the entry of Dutch citizens and pro-

hibited Dutch flights as part of a reprisal campaign over her claim to Dutch New Guinea. Several Dutch newspapers today said the Indonesian measures were tantamount to a declaration of war. The whole Dutch press reaction has been one of indignation. Today the Indonesian Charge d’Affaires in The Hague, Mr Maramis, will take a stack of Dutch newspapers to show his Foreign Minister, Mr Subandrio, in Paris. Mr Maramis will tell him of Dutch reactions to the Indonesian moves “Indonesia Right’* A Dutch businessman from Jakarta said in Sydney today: “I think Indonesia is right about Dutch New Guinea.” The businessman, Mr C. J. Stolkarrived in Sydney today with his wife and family in the liner Australia for a three-week holiday. Mr Stolk said he was director of a printing firm which employed 3000 Indonesians. He said: “West New Guinea belongs to the Dutch East Indies and was the only part not given back to Indonesia when the Indies were handed over by the Dutch.

“My opinion—and it is shared by 99 per cent, of the Dutch businessmen in Indonesia—is that the Dutch Government has made a big mistake.

“It should give New Guinea back to the Indonesians.” When told that Indonesia had banned the entry of Dutch citizens into the country, he said: “We heard that news on the ship on the way out. We are not afraid to go back.”