SOEKARNO REPLIES

Evening Star, Issue 25634, 7 November 1945, Page 5

SOEKARNO REPLIES

INDONESIANS HAVE THEIR OWN PLANS DUTCH UNEQUAL TO IMPOSING DOMINATION (Rec. 1 p.m.) BATAVIA. Nov. 6. " There can be no doubt that the Dutch have no logical or reasonable answer for the difficulties with which they are faced," said Or Soekarno, the Nationalist leader, in a counter statement to Dr Van Mook's. " Up till now there has been no sign of their having intentions other than the restoring of the old colonial system in spite of their proclamation and the statement made by Queen Wilhelmina in 1942. The Dutch know that they are not equal to the task of imposing their domination on us, but are buoyed up by the hope of being able to utilise the / Allied forces to crush the Indonesians' determination to maintain their sovereignty. " The Dutch will never be able to make us give up the typo of Govern-

raent we have chosen for ourselves, because the burning flame of our patriotism will make null and void all Dutch designs on us. When the Republic of Indonesia is formally recognised we will take appropriate action regarding a number ot important matters. All debts incurred by the Dutoh East Indies Government, prior to the Japanese surrender and fairly chargeable to us, we will unhesitatingly take over. All property of foreigners will be handed over to them, except that ■we shall reserve the right to acquire at fair prices such property as shall be deemed necessary for the welfare of the country. "In concert with our immediate neighbours and the rest of the world we intend to take our place in the Council of the United Nations to further and implement the ideals in the San Francisco Charter. In a short time we intend to prove our adherence to democratic ideals by calling a general election, which may result in far-reaching, changes in the composition of the present Government and the Constitution."