JAVA CRISIS

Grey River Argus, 4 October 1945, Page 5

JAVA CRISIS

STAND BY NATIVES Against Dutch Rule (Rec. 11.30.) SINGAPORE, Oct. 3. The Kemneitai (Japanese Gestapo) are' unable or unwilling to give a list of crimes supposed to have been committed in Batavia (says an Associated Press special representative in Malaya). They have even professed ignorance of such things as bicycle pilfering. The Kempeitai was more concerned with rounding til! mobcars for the use of the British foice. It is part of an unreal situation in Batavia that we all are still the guests of the Son of Heaven who supplies board and lodging at the elaborate Hotel des Indes, and free motor transport. All foreign currency must be handed to Dutch officials at the airport, and the only currency in circulation is the Japanese invasion “banana” guilders, Tfiis is being done by order Gf the Dutch officials, to prevent a rapid of Japanese currency, so as tg put tne necessities of life beyond the purses of the newly-released Dutch housewives, who have no money but the Japanese kind. BATAVIA, October 2. . Dr. Soekarno and members of his Indonesian Cabinet told the Press to-day that they would refuse to meet the Chief of the Netherlands Indies Civil Administration, Dr. Van der Plas, or any other Dutch Government representative to discuss Indonesian independence. Earlier, Dr. Van der Plas, in a speech broadcast over the Batavia radio, invited all the groups to discuss with him. He guaranteed all leaders of whatever race or group a safe conduct to and from the meeting place. Van der F'las told a Press conference that Soekarno was included among those invited to the conference, and that he would insist on Soekarno or his representative being present. Dr. Soekarno and members of his Cabinet claimed that the Native Government practically ruled the country, and that Dr. Van der Plas was there only in the interests of Dutch colonisation. Dr.’ Soekarno contended that his wartime and anti-British and anti-American broadcasts were made solely as part of the programme to induce the Japanese to give the Indonesians greater freedom. A London “Daily Mail” correspondent at Batavia, stated: A tall, blondman in the uniform of the German Navy, stood up in a much-patronised Chinese restaurant in Batavia and raising his glass of saki, cried in English, “Germany forever.” A group of Japanese-equipped Indonesian soldiers loudly applauded, while embarassed British, Dutch and American officers fit other tables acted as though they heard nothing. This is- just one of the crazy things that are being allowed to happen in Java for want of a strong, forthright policy from the occupying authorities, who happen to be English. Which ever way things are regarded, one thing is certain, our Dutch Allies, whose underground movement was the most virile in Europe, is being given a raw deal. The J'apanese left behind them, and, indeed, is still nourishing, a legacy of hate and violence in the person of Dr. Soekarno, who likes to think himself the Gandhi of South-east Asia. To be Courtmartiailed INDONESIANS AT MELBOURNE. (Rec. 11.10.) SYDNEY, Oct. 3. ' There were sixty-two Indonesian seamen fined in a Melbourne Court yesterday for desertion from a Dutch vessel. They later refused to go back to their ship, the “Merak.” They were again arrested and were charged with vagrancy. Twenty-three Indonesian soldiers at a Dutch camp near Melbourne, refused to obey orders. They have been placed under arrest Thirty sailors at St. Kilda naval centre went on strike. They were also arrested. The soldiers and sailors will be court-martialled.