DUTCH MARINES

Evening Star, Issue 25679, 31 December 1945, Page 5

DUTCH MARINES

ARRIVAL IN CAPITAL CLEAN-UP PROCEEDING BATAVIA, December 30. A Dutch marine battalion has arrived at Batavia’s port, Tanjoeng Priok. These troops have been raised and trained by Americans, and have not previously been in the Netherlands East Indies. The Indonesians protested at any Dutch landings, but British headquarters said the Indonesian leaders had been informed that the marines would help to enforce order, and would “ relieve the Dutch native troops on guard, who were going outside Batavia.” . The Dutch authorities state that 6,000 more marines are awaiting embarkation for the Netherlands East Indies. Armed Netherlands East Indies troops visited Dr Sjahrir’s unguarded home early in the morning and re* moved his car from the garage. A report from an Indonesian source states that a Eurasian and. an Ambonese arrived while Dr Sjahrir was still in bed and said the license for the car was invalid, and demanded the keys. . A lorry load of East Indies troops arrived later and towed the car away. The incident was immediately reported to the British military authorities. Dr Sjahrir, commenting on the Rritish-Dutcli talks in London, said: “ We are willin'* to discuss any proposals which Dr Van Mook brings back, provided they are based on the general principle of self-determination.” The Batavia correspondent of ‘ The Times ’ says the irony of the present situation in Batavia is that the greatest menace to peace are not the Indonesians but the Dutch. , The best way the Dutch can co-operate in the present Java clean-up is dv instilling a little discipline into their Eurasian and Ambonese troops.