INDONESIAN CONFLICT

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28536, 15 March 1958, Page 13

INDONESIAN CONFLICT

Rebel Withdrawal From Oil Town

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

(Rec. 9 p.m.) NEW YORK, March 14. The Indonesian Government announced yesterday the capture of the oil fields near Pakanbaru, in Central Sumatra, and said the Caltex Pacific Oil Company, an American firm, was now free to resume operations, the American Associated Press reported from Jakarta.

The “New York Times” quoted rebel sources in Singapore as saying that Central Sumatran forces had withdrawn to the outskirts of Pakanbaru. They said that they had no information on casualties or whether the two sides were still fighting.

According to the American Associated Press dispatch, the Indonesian Government said that Pakanbaru, the Caltex headquarters town 15 miles south-west of the Minas oil field, was captured by 300 paratroopers and a combat regiment.

The dispatch said the company shut down on Monday on the advice of the Indonesian Government and evacuated some women and children to Singapore. The Prime Minister, Dr. Djuanda, said that there was no need for further evacuation. About 500 Americans were in the area but were reported to' be safe. A “New York Times” dispatch from Singapore said that three United States warships had extended their stay there for the possible evacuation of Americans from Sumatra.

Rear-Admiral Roy Benson, commanding the cruiser and two destroyers, said that two of the ships were originally to leave on Sunday, but had been ordered to remain because of the Indonesian emergency. The third ship, the destroyer Shelton, .was reported to be cruising within a short distance of the harbour, the "New York Times” said. A United Press dispatch from Singapore said that central Government troops had consolidated their position by seizing Dumai, an important Caltex Oil Company terminal on the east coast of Sumatra, about 40 miles north of Pakanbaru. An Indonesian Government spokesman indicated that troops occupied the Dumai area at about the same time they landed at Pakanbaru, the news agency said. “The Times” correspondent reported the rebels as saying they had the Government parachute troops bottled up on the Pakanbaru airfield, but admitting that supplies were being dropped to the enemy and that aircraft were trying to land. The rebels also claimed to have counter-attacked Government positions on the east coast.

The correspondent said the Government warships had shelled Padang, on the west coast of Centra] Sumatra. A Jakarta newspaper reported that landings had been made on this coast under sea and air protection. Peace Treaty Ratified (Rec. 9 p.m.) JAKARTA. Mar. 13. Parliament tonight ratified the Indonesian-Japanese peace treaty as well as the war reparations agreement and other documents involving 800.000,000 United States dollars. Voting was unanimous Jet Star Record BURBANK (California), March 13. A jet transport, the Jet Star, flew 1926 miles non-stop across the United States in 3hr 29min yesterday for an unofficial speed record of 557 miles an hour for passenger type aircraft, the Lockhead Aircraft Company has an-