ALLIES’ ATTITUDE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25964, 3 October 1945, Page 5

ALLIES’ ATTITUDE

CABINET NOT RECOGNISED ARREST IMPROBABLE BATAVIA, Oct. I. Dr Soekarno and Dr Hatta, president and vice-president of the Indonesian Republic Government, have been told that the Allied military authorities cannot recognise the “ Indonesian Republic.” They have also been told that they need have no fear of arrest provided they are prepared to co-operate as public figures and not as political office-bearers in removing lawlessnses and helping to relieve distress in Java.

The message, which was given also to a number of members of Soekarno’s "Cabinet,” was taken to Soekarno by a British staff officer on behalf of Rear-admiral Paterson, senior representative in Java of Lord Louis Mountbatten. The Indonesian leaders were also told that they could have freedom of movement, although it was desired that they should remain in the neighbourhood of Batavia. The staff officer said later that Soekarno and Hatta had said they had instructed their followers to co-operate for the good of law and order with the Allied forces. When the officer told them they must not construe his visit as recognition of their Cabinet they said they Realised that the Allied forces who had come to Java could not give them official recognition and that the most important task was relief of misery. The Indonesians were also told that the only Government was the Allied military administration set up by Lord Louis Mountbatten. The inhabitants rushed to the waterfront and waved from the tops of buildings as his Majesty’s river class frigate Waveney led a force of minesweepers of the British East Indies Fleet up the Saigon River to Saigon, reports Reuter’s correspondent. They were the first Royal Navy ships the natives have seen for three and a-half years. The British commander was greeted by the aged Japanese vice-admiral, who saluted and mumbled a few words before being dismissed. The French battleship Richelieu and the light cruiser Triomphant are expected at Saigon to-day, carrying French troops.