INTENSE EXCITEMENT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27275, 29 December 1949, Page 5

INTENSE EXCITEMENT

Indonesians Greet Proclamation Of Sovereignty 0 CELEBRATIONS IN CAPITAL Rec. 8 p.m. , BATAVIA, Dec. 27. Indonesian sovereignty was proclaimed today at 5.25 p.m. local time in the Palace of the Governor-General in Jakarta (Batavia). Thousands of Indonesians flocked into the city from surrounding suburbs and villages, many groups beating drums and sounding native fifes, while in the outer kampongs ceremonial drums throbbed constantly. The Koningsplein, facing the palace, was a seething mass of humanity, good humoured, singing, and laughing. There was no sign of hostility towards Europeans.

The youthful buita'n Hamangku Buwono of Jogjakarta, Minister of Defence and Protector ot the Faithful, received impassively the decree transferring power over 72,000,000 Indonesians from Queen Juliana to the new United States of Indonesia. The huge crowd listened in silence to the broadcast of the palace speeches, then, when it was announced that sovereignty was an accomplished fact, it broke into a storm of cheering, and sang Indonesia Raya, the battle hymn of the republic. Buwono, speaking in Indonesian, said: “ Indonesia faces the new era strong and calm. We gladly accept the assistance of other nations, particularly the Netherlands, which is skilled, experienced, and imbued with a sincere wish to help our people.' New Zealand Not Represented

There is considerable critical comment among South-east Asian diplomats in Batavia that New Zealand was not represented at the sovereignty celebrations marking the formation of the new republic, or by a consul at Batavia, says Reuter’s Batavia correspondent. The Indonesian politicians, however, welcomed an assurance by the Australian Prime Minister of the Commonwealth’s close ties witff the new State.

The correspondent says that internationally the effect of the transfer of sovereignty is the immediate de jure recognition of the United States of Indonesia, with America, India, Siam, and the Moslem States being the first to appoint Ambassadors. In London, political observers believe that the formation of the new State has afforded a valuable counterweight to the Chinese Communist drive in South-east Asia.

Britain, today extended full recognition to the United States of Indonesia. Britain’s wish to establish diplomatic relations was conveyed to the Premier, Dr Mohammed Hatta, in a message of good wishes from -the British Foreign Secretary, Mr Ernest Bevin. This act constituted recognition. Mr Attlee, in a message to tne Netherlands Prime Minister, Dr Willem Drees, said that, in spite of all difficulties, wise and patient statesmanship has achieved Indonesian independence on a sound basis. In a message to Dr Hatta, Mr Attlee said the British Government was con-fident-that another stage had been advanced in friendly co-operation between the peoples and Governments of East and West.

The Governments of India, South Africa, Canada and Burma today announced recognition of the United States of Indonesia. The Canadian Prime Minister, Mr Louis St. Laurent, in a message to Dr Hatta, said Canada hoped the new republic would enter upon a new era of peace and prosperity that would contribute to the prosperity of all the nations in the Pacific.

The British Foreign Office today announced the appointment of Mr Andrew Charles Stewart, Acting British Consul-general at Batavia, as Charge d’Affaires, pending the appointment of an Ambassador. American Recognition

In Washington, the State Department announced today that the United States would recognise the new Republic of Indonesia as soon as “ certain formalities had been complied with.” It added that compliance was expected within 24 hours. A Manila message reports that the Philippines had extended full recognition to the United States of Indonesia effective from tomorrow. Greetings from Australia

In Canberra, the Federal Minister of External Affairs, Mr P. C. Spender, announced that the Australian Government has decided to accord full recognition to the United States of Indonesia and its Government. He said that the Australian Government looked forward to close and friendly association with both Indonesia and the Netherlands in the future. In a cable to Dr Hatta the Australian Prime Minister, Mr Menzies. offered congratulations, and added: “As a near neighbour Australia has a deep and constant interest in the wellbeing and prosperity of Indonesia, and we look forward to the most intimate and friendly relations with you.” To Dr Drees, the Netherlands Prime Minister, he said: “We congratulate you upon this landmark in the development of relations between yourselves and Indonesia.” Australia is represented at the celebrations by Mr L. R. Mclntyre, counsellor of the Department of External A.ff ciirs The Sydney Daily Telegraph criticises the Australian Government, because “it is still only talking of appointing a commissioner to our new northern neighbour to help build up reciprocal trade.”' The paper says that a large Australian trade delegation should already be there to guard against Australia being left behind by America, Canada and Japan in the race for the Indonesian market. United Nations Membership At Lake Success today the Netherlands pledged full support to the United States of Indonesia when it applies for admission to the United Nations. The Netherlands-*said in a letter to the United Nations that it hoped the new Republic would soon be admitted. Russia has indicated that she will veto Indonesia’s application. The Soviet Union recently registered its forty-second and forty-third vetoes to defeat Security Council resolutions which would have welcomed the new State and given the United Nations Commission for Indonesia new authority to continue operating. The chairman. General A. G. McNaughton. ruled that the veto on the continuation of the commission had no practical effect, since the group would continue operating under previous United Nations resolutions.