Dutch Accept Mediation Offer

Northern Advocate, 30 August 1947, Page 5

Dutch Accept Mediation Offer

(Rec. 10 a.m.) THE HAGUE, Aug. 29. The Dutch Government announced acceptance of the Security Council’s good offices to settle the Indonesian dispute, on the understanding that the Indonesian Republic ceases all hostile action in word and deed. The Government, however, maintains the stand that the Security Council is not entitled to intervene in what is an internal Dutch matter.

In a declaration made tonight by the LieutenanlHGoveronr (Dr van Mook) the NEI Government has defined the territories in Java and Sumatra in which it has taken over direct responsibility for law and. order. Some well-informed circles regard the declaration as paving the way for Dutch acceptance of the Security Council resolution for settlement of the Indonesian dispute with which Dr van Mook’s visit to Holland, beginning on Sunday, is believed to be connected. DEMARCATION LINES The possibility of the resumption of ‘Dutch police action is considered to have become less likely. The demarcation lines defined in Dr van Mook’s declaration are broadly the lines now held by Dutch troops. The territory for which ' the NEI Government has declared itself responsible includes most of West Java, some disti’icts of Central Java, south of the Dutch-held port of Semarang, and the whole of East Java, as far east as to embrace Malang Valley. A notable area excluded is the province of Bantam, at the extreme western end of Java. On Madura Island the Government has declared that its responsibility covers the disti’icts of Bangkalan, Kabandjar, Baliq, Tordjjun, Bunder, Pameskasan and Kotasampang, and the regencies of Bangkalan and Pamekasaix. VALUABLE AREAS HELD Banghalan and Pamekasan are the biggest towns in the island and are held by Dutch troops. In Sumatra the areas now held by Dutch Troops in the east coast, west coast and Palembang residencies are included in Dr van Mook’s declaration. The areas now under NET control include West Java's valuable tea, quinine, rubber, sisal and rice-grow-ing areas and East Java’s main sugar, coffee and tobacco pi’oducing districts. '

On Sumatra’s east coast it has acquired the main plantation country, whei’e thousands of tons of palm oil, tobacco and rubber are produced. On the Madura archipelagos the main salt industry is in Dutch hands. The popularity of Dr Soekarno and the Republican Government had increased in Jogjakarta since the Dutch began their police action, accoi’ding to a food official of the Government of India (Salim Shah), who was evacuated from the Republican capital by Red Cross plane today. “The morale of the people is still high, and they were determined that even their women and children would resist if the Dutch moved on Jogjakarta,” he said. “Preparations are complete for blowing up the capital if it is threatened.”

NOT RECOGNISED The declaration says the authoi’ity of the present Republican Government is no longer recognised in these terl’itories. The inhabitants are l’elieved of their duty to obey the Republic. Republican officials could work in the general government under the supremacy of the NEI Government. If they did not wish to do so they would be relieved.

If they desired to return or disturbed the law they could be removed to Republican territory. By energetic restoration and maintenance of law and order, a lasting safeguard would be effected against terrorism said the declaration. The NEI Government invited inhabitants and organisations willing to cooperate in the new political construction to-join in making a political (organisation quickly possible for the territories which could start its task within the framework of the principles of the Linggadjati Agreement, and could be represented in the central interim government. TEN AIMS In future conduct in the defined territories, 10 aims would Ire followed. These included: Disarmament and winding up of all armed organisations that did not recognise the new authority. Speedy cooperation between all parts of Indonesia where law and jrrder reigned in preparation for the lUnited States of Indonesia. ! Restoration of property rights, monetary and economic cooperation. Organisation of labour, social and political programmes. The Republican vice-premier (Dr Gani) said in Batavia tonight that the Republic could not recognise the one-sided Dutch declaration on demarcation lines to end its police action. Dr Gani said it was impossible to talk of demarcation lines in Java and Sumatra when the Dutch only held some big towns arid the Republicans still controlled the areas around them,