JAVAN AUTONOMY

Grey River Argus, 5 January 1946, Page 5

JAVAN AUTONOMY

DUTCH PROMISES ’ Batavia Strife (Rec. 9.5.) AMSTERDAM, Jan. 4. Dr. Van Mook, Lieutenant-Gover-nor of the Dutch Indies, addressed here five hundred Dutch students and representatives of youth organisations at his first public appearance since his arrival from Batavia to confer with the Dutch and British Government officials. Dr. Van Mook said: “The Indonesians are no longer our servants, and we must come to a mutual understanding with them. The people of Java no longer are a defenceless mass, but are a neople with a strong national feeling, who jiave realised there is need for national defence. Sutan Sjahrir, Native Premier, embodies the most constructive elements, which did not condone the extremists’ savagery. The mass of the intellectual and moderately intellectual Indonesians, and also a greater mass of the peace-lov-ing people have stood behind Sjahrir. The aim of the Dutch Government and those in her service is to lay a foundation for the collaboration of participants in a single em-

pire.” Dr. Van Mook attributed the Indonesian misunderstanding and distrust of the Dutch to assiduous Japanese propaganda, but he emphasised that outside of Java, the situation in the Indonesian Islands is generally quiet. The people of the Moluccas and of Celebes were particularly receptive of his broadcast repeating Queen Wilhelmina’s pledge of selfgovernment for the Netherlands East Indies within the framework of the empire. LONDON, January 4. A military police cordon which was placed round Batavia last week has been withdrawn. There have been clashes in Batavia between newly-formed Batavia police and Indonesian extremists. The fighting has been going on for some hours, and nearly 100 extremists have been detained for questioning. Notices have been posted giving warning of severe penalties for acts of terrorism. It is reported from Semarang that Indonesians are building up forces there, but Allied commanders are confident that they can retain control.