DEMAND IN JAVA

Evening Post, Volume CXL, Issue 73, 24 September 1945, Page 6

DEMAND IN JAVA

END GFDUTCH RULE

INDEPENDENCE MOVE

(By Telegraph—Press Association— CoayMoht.) Rec.1.15 p.m. BATAVIA, Sept. 23. The Japanese, who still control Java, regard with increasing apprehension the Javanese demand for independence. Batayia is filled with natives demonstrating in favour of independence and the ending of Dutch rule. The Japanese authorities have brought in 1500 extra troops and more armoured cars, and a British cruiser in tl 2 harbour has sent ashore grenades, phosphorus bombs, and tommy-guns. Dr. Soekarno. leader, of the Indonesian nationalist movement, declares, however, that there is no intention to use force to achieve their aims. "We are not in a position to do so," he said. "We hope to enlist world sympathy and take advantage of the spirit of the times."

An official announcement says that the occupation troops will move into Java about October 4. Correspondents say that the feeling among the revolutionaries is almost exclusively against the Dutch and the Japanese because the Japanese are preserving Dutch interests. There may be bloodshed later, when the Dutch take over, but no great revolution is expected until then. x . .

In an interview with a correspondent of the Australian Associated Press, Dr. Soekarno outlined the political basis of what he hoped would be the first Republic of the Netherlands East Indies. He said that a cabinet of 17 members had been formed and that an appeal,for independence;was being prepared for presentation to the United Nations. This would be transmitted to Admiral Mountbatten when he assumed the military control of the Indies. .

Dr. Soekarno proclaimed the republic on August 17, two days after the capitulation, but the Japanese sent police to warn him to desist. He said that the aspirations of the Nationalists, who" represented 95 per cent, of Indonesia's 70,000,000 people, could be expressed in the phrase, "complete independence under a republican government." A complete break from Holland was desired, he caid, but the Dutch would be free to live side by side with the Indonesians. There would be no racial discrimination and no restriction of religious worship. Asked about foreign investments, particularly existing Dutch investments, Dr. Soekarno said: "We propose State control of economic resources. We welcome all traders, but the Dutch will be on the same basis as those of other nations." A long-term political programme provided for an elective form of government, which would be composed of representatives of each unit of national life, from the village upwards. Their policy would be the widening of the education of the masses to a point where it would be possible to introduce a universal franchise. That would be ' achieved in a few years. In the early stages of the regime other political parties would not be encouraged. Dr. Soekarno admitted freely that there had been collaboration with the Japanese, but said it was forced collaboration. Even when the Japanese offered them political freedom they knew the promise was hollow, but accepted the protocol to consolidate their position. The correspondent says that among the Dutch in Batavia there is no disposition to discuss the political situation. They are obviously disturbed and are taking no chances of clashes while there are so few Allied armed forces in the country. The Japanese who probably have the most to lose at the moment, seem the least concerned, and stick stoutly to their self-appointed role of universal protectors. Several have already been lynched in nocturnal clashes, but Batavia at the moment is a quieter and duller city than most new arrivals pretend it is. Some think it is a calm before shooting starts."