BATAVIAN REVOLT

Southland Times, Issue 20042, 2 December 1926, Page 7

BATAVIAN REVOLT

JAPANESE RISE AGAINST DUTCH. SHARP FIGHTING REPORTED. Fremantle, December 1. Officers of the steamer Gascoyne, which arrived from Batavia, bring details of a revolt, allegedly under Soviet influences, of Japanese against the Dutch authorities. Just before the Gascoyne reached Batavia serious rioting occurred. The malcontents seized and severed all telephone and telegraph lines, and held the telegraph offices until expelled by Dutch marines. They unsuccessfully attempted to seize the Hong-Kong and Shanghai Bank premises, but actually stormed and took possession of another bank. Dutch pilots who boarded the Gascoyne said shooting had been rife and many people were killed in the streets and at the storming of the telegraph office. They stated that the trouble had been expected for some weeks, as the Chinese had been paying large sums to the natives, and it was suspected that the money, which was of European origin, had come from Russia. Steps were being taken to prevent Russians landing.

The Gascoyne’s officers were given to understand that the Dutch authorities have taken strong repressive measures, and anticipated little trouble in restoring order.—A. and N.Z.