THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES Wednesday, October 3, 1945. PROBLEM FOR NETHERLANDS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25964, 3 October 1945, Page 4

THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES Wednesday, October 3, 1945. PROBLEM FOR NETHERLANDS

Both the Netherlands Government and the Allied military authorities in Java have refused to recognise Dr Soekarno’s Indonesian Government. The Dutch attitude in this matter was to have been expected and that of the Allies is, in the circumstances, very proper. These decisions, however, will not simplify the immediate problem that is involved in the restoration of order in the island, and the result may well be to complicate the task of the British troops there. It is all the more desirable, therefore, that effect should be given as soon as possible to the proposal of the Allied commander, Lieutenant-general Sir Philip Christison, that Dutch and native leaders should be called together at a round table conference. It is regrettable that British troops should have been called on to intervene in such a delicate situation as has presented itself, where a chance false step might involve Great Britain in a neighbour’s domestic quarrel, but it is obviously desirable that there should temporarily be some impartial authority. Feeling among the natives seems to be running dangerously high. While the Dutch have announced their readiness to make important concessions, they must have increased the resentment against them by the attempt made in Australia to carry military supplies on vessels which they had previously described as “ mercy ships.” This was undoubtedly a mistake which has already cost them a measure of public sympathy in the outside world. Dr Soekarno has warned his followers against violence and has expressed his desire to win the sympathy of the Allies for his claims. He has also admitted a “forced collabora-/ tion ” with the Japanese and described his actions as an opportunist effort to consolidate the position of the Nationalists. This may, in a measure, be true, but more sinister inferences are placed on his conduct by monitor radio records kept by the Netherlands authorities of broadcasts from Java during the past three and a-half years. It is stated that these show consistently vicious anti-Allied political attacks by Soekarno and point to him as “ Indonesia’s Quisling No. 1.” These allegations must both be treated with a certain amount of reserve as ex parte in their character. On the other hand, they suggest that it will be desirable to investigate Dr Soekamo’s creden-. tials. There is evidence, at the same time, that the present agitation does not stand or fall with Dr Soekarno, who is apparently the leader of an extremist party which has exploited an emergency to attain power. Even if he is completely discredited and becomes liable to trial as a war criminal, there are sections of the Indonesian people that have been active for at least the past decade in efforts to win from the Dutch a greater measure of freedom and political representation. Their claims must still be tested for their validity. There is yet room for hope that the problems in this , region can be amicably settled with satisfaction to both parties.