East Indies Regime Invited To India: Diplomat Fears War

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22820, 15 December 1948, Page 9

East Indies Regime Invited To India: Diplomat Fears War

(N.Z.P.A. —Reuter—Copyright.) (10 a.m.) WASHINGTON, Dec. 14. The North American newspaper, Alliance, says that Dr. Soemitro, the Indonesian Minister plenipotentiary, disclosed yesterday that his Government had been invited to set up a Government in exile in India, if necessary.

Dr. Soemitro said the invitation came from the Prime Minister, Mr. Nehru, following the collapse of the Dutch-In-donesian negotiations last week. “I am afraid war will break out in the East Indies within a few weeks,” Dr Soemitro said. “If we operate from India, we will buy arms and ammunition and enlist the support of the peoples of South-East Asia to end Dutch domination. We know we can count on the help of the peoples of India, Pakistan, Burma, Malaya, Australia and New Zealand. The United States can help, too, by cutting off Marshall aid to Holland.

The State Department wants negotiations on Indonesia's political future resumed, said Mr. Michael McDermott, the State Department press officer yesterday, according to the United Press. He said the talks should be described as “interrupted” rather than “broken off.”

The United Press says there are mounting indications that the United States is urging Holland not to take any step that might disturb the uneasy peace in Indonesia. There is reported to have been a steady exchange of views between the Dutch Government and the State Department since Holland announced negotiations with the Indonesian Republic had broken down.