DEEP INTEREST

Evening Post, Volume CXL, Issue 149, 21 December 1945, Page 7

DEEP INTEREST

U.S.A. AND SITUATION IN INDONESIA

INCREASING CONCERN

(£> Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright.)

WASHINGTON, December 20.

The State Department, in its first policy statement on Indonesia, expressed its increasing concern over the situation and the hope that all parties would soon renew attempts to reach agreement. H.-

"Extremist or irresponsible action -or failure to present or consider specific proposals can only lead to a disastrous situation/ says the statement. "The primary responsibility rests on the Dutch and Indonesian leaders, but the United States cannot fail to be deeply interested. Our sole desire is to see a peaceful settlement which will best aid world stability and the prosperity and happiness of the people. It is hoped a settlement will be reached in harmony with the principle and ideals of the United Nations declaration and charter." The Department acknowledged that the United States shared the responsibility for the decision to send the British troops to Indonesia, but only for the purpose of accepting the surrender of Japanese forces, removing them, liberating prisoners of war, and assuring the safety of civilians interned by the Japanese. The United States has no thought of extending the Allied mandate beyond these specific responsibilities," it says. "However, it has been necessary for British troops to assure such order as is necessary for the execution of the Allied objectives."