GRAVE DEVELOPMENT

Evening Star, Issue 25993, 7 January 1947, Page 5

GRAVE DEVELOPMENT

FIGHTING IN PALEMBANG DUTCH MEASURES FORCED (Reo. 12.20 p.m.) LONDON, Jan. 6. "This i» the gravest development since the signing of the truce on October 15, 1946,’; eaid the Indonesian Republican Minister, Aak Gani, after s one-day flying visit to Palembang, reports the Batavia correspondent of the Associated Press. Gani said the ■ Dutch used Mitchell bombers, artillery, mortars, and destroyers, which shelled the city from the river. Most of the civilians fled from Palembang. The Dutch bombed a civilian evacuees’ camp. Indonesian labourers working on the rehabilitation of the Standard, and Shell oil refineries . went on strike in sympathy with their fellows in Palembang. The correspondent says fires are still raging in Palembang. The Dutch and Indonesians yesterday agreed to cease fire pending a conference between the Didonesian and Dutch leaders at Batavia. The Dutch and Indonesians are at present accusing each other of starting the trouble in Palembang. The Indonesian Premior, Dr Sjahrir, expressed , a serious view of the military. situation in South-east Sumatra. Dr Sjahrir said that he had been advised '• that fighting occurred after the Dutch had ordered Indonesian forces to withdraw from an area 20 miles around the towp, as well as from Palembang itself. i A . military spokesman said that no reports had been received from Palembang since last Thursday, when '" necessary measures were taken by the Dutch forces to safeguard Netherlands’ objectives,”