Dramatic Radio Appeal To Indonesians: Another Call To Fight

Greymouth Evening Star, 25 July 1947, Page 7

Dramatic Radio Appeal To Indonesians: Another Call To Fight

(Recd. 11.5 a.m.) BATAVIA, July 24.' Another dramatic radio appeal to the Indonesian people to rise and fight for the Republic was made tonight by the Indonesian President, Dr.' Soekarno. He said the time had come for the Indonesian people to defend every inch of their soil and recapture what had been lost. He added that the Dutch claimed that they wanted to restore law and order in the Republic, but there could not be law and order without freedom. Law and order was born of liberty. If slavery were justice, then there was no justice in the world. Dr. Soekarno appealed to the Indonesians “to let each home, river and forest-be a fortress and take back every inch of soil occupied by the Dutch.”

Addressing his appeal especially to the youth of the nation, Dr Soekarno pointed out that the struggle would require many sacrifices and added: “But have confidence that you are fighting for justice, because it is clear that the present Dutch action is not what they call a police measure but a true colonial war to subjugate the Indonesian people again.” The Jogjakarta radio tonight broadcast a formal request from the Prime Minister, Mr Sjarifuddin, to the Australian Consul-General, Mr Bullard, at Batavia, asking him to represent the interest of the Indonesian Republic with those other neutrals with whom diplomatic relations existed before the outbreak of hostilities. Mr Sjarifuddin suaeested that as no other means of communication existed Mr Bullard should reply by radio. In the event of the reply being in the affirmative, the Republican

Government was prepared to facilitate any other permissible means of establishing direct contact with Mr Bullard. A Republican Army communique announced that the Republican Army recaptured Simoman, one kilometre south of Modjokerto, which was later also recaptured. The communique says the army has received the full assistance of the people, Purwodadi village, eight kilometres north of Lavang, was recaptured after heavy fighting. Cheribon was attacked on Wednesday afternoon by Dutch forces moving from Sumedang, via Kadipaten, and using 50 tanks. Heavy fighting is reported in the outskirts and in Cheribon (the Dutch reported that they have captured Cheribon). In mid-Java the Republican army is making a rapid advance in its march towards Semarang.

SOEKARNO APPEALS TO TRUMAN

President Soekarno this morning broadcast an appeal to President Truman and the American people “to exert every effort to halt this war in Indonesia and bring about a peaceful settlement. President Soekarno said that although Britain had offered mediation in the Indonesian-Dutch dispute the influence of another great Power, such as the United States, was needed to make the Dutch accept the British offer. The Indonesian people, as well as himself, were deeply grateful for the British offer of mediation and he was confident that “with the British as mediators we shall receive just and fair treatment.” Dr Soekarno said the United States should not under-estimate the power of her position and added: “I appeal to you, President Truman, and to the people of the United States to stand by the principles of justice and right, for which you fought so valiantly

only two years ago.” The time has come, said Dr Soekarno, for him as leader of the 76,000,000 Indonesian people to speak plainly to the 130,000,000 libertyloving people of the United States. Just as the United States in 1776 had fought until she gained her independence, so the Indonesians would fight until they were free from the Dutch.

“This fight to a finish can only be stopped if the Dutch cease military action,” he declared. “This is not the time for diplomatic statements, or to spare the feelings of anyone. “Peace is an urgent necessity in Indonesia. Unless it comes and comes quickly, the blood of thousands, if necessary of millions, will flow here. My people have conceded much, but we have come to the point beyond which there will be no retreat.”

NEHRU PROMISES INDIAN HELP

The former Indonesian Premier, Sutan Sjahrir, arrived at New Delhi by air this afternoon and drove straight to Pandit Nehru’s home, where he had a conversation before going on to his hotel. During his stop at Calcutta, Sutan Sjahrir appealed to “all lovers of freedom to help Indonesia by forming an international brigade like that which helped Spain in 1934.” He said the world’s democratic forces, if they are to help Indonesia, must act quickly if they want to be effective and successful. The Republican forces, though weaker militarily, have moral right on their side. . Pandit Nehru, after talks with Sutan Sjahrir, said: “We will give

every possible help to Indonesia.” Denouncing the Dutch action, Pandit Nehru said: “No European country has any business to use its army in Asia. Foreign armies functioning on Asian soil itself are an outrage to Asian sentiment. If the other United Nations tolerate this or remain inactive, then the United Nations ceases to be.”

Sutan Sjahrir told a press conference that his mission was “to make the world 'stop this colonial war in Indonesia.” His journey to India was logical, because Pandit Nehru was a personal friend and India was the best place to consider the situation and make up his mind about his future programme.