JAVA SITUATION DETERIORATES

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 21840, 10 October 1945, Page 5

JAVA SITUATION DETERIORATES

INDONESIANS MASS OUTSIDE BATAVIA - • * BATTLE OF SLOGANS, SCOWLS & SILENCES (10 a.m.) LONDON, October 9.

The situation in Java is deteriorating, states The Times’ correspondent in Batavia, who quotes the Indonesian newspaper Meredka (freedom) as saying that the People’s Army, comprising all armed Indonesian forces, is being concentrated outside Batavia to prevent Dutch troop landings.

Correspondents in Java are ' being subjected to friendly pressure by Dutch and Indonesians, both having eases they are keen to present to the world. After one week’s survey, the London Times's correspondent feels there is not more than 5 per cent, of the 70,000,000 in the islands who can be said to have any real political or national consciousness. “Government of the people for the people by the people” is the principle of a thousand slogans which splash the walls of Batavia. The practical application is not so clear, he goes on. At the moment it is Government of the Indonesians, by British and Japanese for the Indonesians or Dutch or both. Life Made a Burden ‘‘The battle is one of slogans, scowls and silences and not tire and slaughter. Dutch and Eurasians keep off the streets after sundown and the Dutch parade either in couples or in truckloads with drawn pistols and stovepipe guns. Motor cars bearing the red and white Indonesian flag tear madly from nowhere to nowhere. “The Indonesians control public services—and consistently give Dutchmen the wrong telephone connections, turri off the water supply, block roads with their cars and make life a burden

t generally. The British guard key points and the Japs provide liaison and cash —if Japanese invasion currency can be called cash. An Englishman who was a schoolboy at the outbreak of war and who rocketed from lieutenant to major in three weeks is at present controlling the critical revolutionary situation at Bandoeng, says the Daily Express correspondent in Java. He is the 22-year-old Gft. paratrooper, Major Mark Gray who is responsible for keeping order between the warring bands of Indonesian soldiers and civilians who captured complete control of the town from the powerless Japanese. Control by Personality Major Gray maintained order in Bandoeng without the loss of a single British and Dutch life while Bandoeng —equally with Cheribon and Sourabaya —has been one of the touchiest trouble spots. Major Gray, for three weeks, by his personality, determination and fearlessness, has quelled sporadic flare-ups by armed factions. He has maintained a degree of order which enables the town to’function as nearly as possible to normal in daytime. although it is unsafe in the streets after dark. His personal prestige and popularity with all rival factions is such that he makes them obey orders in the absence of any military backing.