SOUTH BANDOENG TO BE CLEARED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 21979, 25 March 1946, Page 3

SOUTH BANDOENG TO BE CLEARED

BRITISH WARNING FIRING MUST END ‘NECESSARY MEASURES’ EX-INTERNEE CASUALTIES (10 a.m.) BATAVIA, March 24. British Headquarters has issued a warning* to the Indonesians that the southern area of Bandoeng would be cleared of all armed men immediately, “if possible withov + bloodshed,” and perhaps with the use of tear gas. The action is being taken against extremists firing on Allied positions.

The control of Bandoeng has been 'divided between the British and Indonesians for several months. The British control the northern part, which houses Dutch and Eurasian exinternces. and the Indonesians control the southern part, in the suburbs of which there are some Japanese tamps A headquarters statement says there has been in the last few days a grievous recurrence of incidents from armed Indonesians in the Bandoeng and the Sockaboemi areas. The northern section of Bandoeng. including the RAPWI camps, lias been indiscriminately mortared and women and children hit. A RAPWI convoy carrying food and medical supplies was machine-gunned and houses set on fire. There have been more than 100 casualties in the last fortnignt “Senseless Mortaring-’’

The commander-in-chief has decided that this irresponsible and senseless mortaring must cease. Therefore he has ordered the divisional commander to take the necessary steps. The local commander has decided to clear southern Bandoeng of all armed men. The populace have been instructed to remain calm and keep off the streets lor 48 hours. Armed men have been warned to leave the area. The Associated Press correspondent

says it is reliably reported that Dr. Sjahrir, Indonesian Prime Minister, received notice of the plan. The Indonesian leaders, with a British liaison officer, have gone to southern Bandoeng from Batavia. Previous British statements indicate that the Allied Command blames uncontrolled and irresponsible elements rather than the Indonesian Command for attacks.

In the first serious clash since the occupation of Bali began three weeks ago extremists ambushed a patrol five miles north of Den Pasar and killed one Dutch soldier. Several Balinese were killed in the ensuing action.