HOPES FOR PEACE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22439, 20 September 1947, Page 5

HOPES FOR PEACE

DUTCH &JAVANESE BRIGHTER PROSPECTS BIG DRAIN ON HOLLAND (10.30 a.m.) BATAVIA, Sept. 19. Neutral circles in Batavia believe the prospects for a peaceful solution of the Duich-Indonesian dispute are now brighter than at any time since the beginning of the Dutch police action, says the A.A.P.-Reuter correspondent. The announcement that the United States will be the third member of the three-nation commission was well received by both the Dutch and Indonesians. Neutral circles believe the situation took on a better aspect early this week when Dr. Sjarifuddin. the Indonesian Premier, in the first conciliatory statement since the outbreak of hostilities, declared that he was confident a basis (or compromise could be reached. It is reliably estimated that it is costing Holland £250,000 daily to keep about 120,000 men under arms in Indonesia. This financial drain, coupled with the mounting toll o' casualties, four killed and seven wounded daily, despite the cease-fire, makes some speedy solution of the present impasse imperative;