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Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 21980, 26 March 1946, Page 5

_ Earlier, the British military authorities in Batavia refused a request from Major-General Kartasamita, an Indonesian officer acting for M. Sjahrir, to postpone the clearing-up operation in the Bandoeng area for 10 days on the ground that the Republican Army needed time to move its baggage, reported the Netherlands News Agency. The extremists were lolci to leave the area south of Bandoeng or lay down their arms by midnight. The report said there was not much likelihood of resistance except a possibility from isolated groups. The British authorities are reported to have taken precautions to see the retreating Indonesians did not take hostages to the mountains. Republicans Blame British According to a telephone message received in Batavia, the Indonesian commanders informed Allied Headquarters that orders for the evacuation of the southern section of Bandoeng would be obeyed by midnight. It is understood that. M. Sjahrir sent orders to the Republican Army commander calling for compliance with the British demand for evacuation. Indonesian Republican circles declared that the British refusal of the Indonesian request for a postponement of the withdrawal led to the outbreak of fire. Because of this refusal the Indonesian Army was unable to calm the population. Dutch troops recently landed in Java were only a police force to help those Indonesians who would co-operate in working for the recovery of Indonesia, said the Dutch Prime Minister. Professor Schermerhorn, making his first election speech at The Hague. He added that he was convinced the Dutch Government and the Indonesian leaders could roach an agreement to take on “a common destiny in freedom.”

Professor Schermerhorn said he was opposed to the formation of a National Government after the elections, and said the Cabinet should be based on a Parliamentary majority.