Indonesian Papers Pause In Attack

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30603, 20 November 1964, Page 13

Indonesian Papers Pause In Attack

(N Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright)

DJAKARTA, November 18. Indonesia’s series of sharply-critical editorial attacks on Australia and Sir Robert Menzies, the Prime Minister, paused today after a lot of threats, suggestions, warnings of war and name calling.

Sir Robert Menzies’s anouncement last week on conscription and increased defence spending brought down the barrage of words of editorial comment—mostly from the English-language press—after Dr. Subandrio’s criticism. The Indonesian Foreign Minister warned Australia not to try to bully Indonesia or Indonesia would have to reply to the challenge. This produced banner headlines in most of the Indone-sian-language papers suggesting to Australia “take a choice—be a friend or be an enemy.” And from this pattern of criticism the more volatile English-language dailies with limited circulations not estimated to exceed 30,000 altogether in Djakarta began their attacks. Strongest Attack The strongest attack came from the Djakarta “Daily Mail” which accused Sir Robert Menzies of white supremist policies. Other English-language newspapers during the last week warned that conscription in peace time meant “real war” for Indonesia, Australia, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Malaysia and ’ the United States. The Indonesian “Herald,” which often reflects Foreign Ministry views, claimed “Australia has threatened Indonesia with war.” Indonesia had no respect for Sir Robert Menzies’s pol-' icy and accused him of being “a hypocrite and bluffer, blunt and bellicose toward Indonesia.” The more widely-read Indo-nesian-language newspapers were generally silent. Only two commented editorially. The “Sulh Indonesia” (“Torch of Indonesia”), with a circulation of about 60.000, said Australia had now placed herself as Indonesia’s foe. It said Sir Robert Menzies had “done a silly thing which will destroy his own position ” The “Merdeka” (“Free-i I dom”) suggested Australia I

should estimate her position among Asian people who were struggling to reject imperial domination. It also suggested Sir Robert Menzies’s announcement was timed as a “vote catcher” for the Senate elections. The outburst of reaction by the press has not come as any surprise to Australian Embassy officials here in view of Australia’s differences over Malaysia. They expected it but pointed out that at this point it did not appear to be developing into a continuing antiAustralian campaign, frequent where the British and Americans are concerned.