Republic Sought

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23314, 25 September 1945, Page 5

Republic Sought

SYDNEY, September 23. Two Dutch ships are on their way from Australia to Java where Indonesian guerrillas are reported to be attempting to set up an East Indies republic. The heavy destroyer Trampf left Sydney on Friday and the K.P.M. ship Balik Papan from Brisbane is taking Netherlands and Allied troops for garrison duties. The Indonesian revolt coincides with the rising against French rule in IndoChina, where the Annamites have set up a provisional Government. More shins are scheduled to leave Australia for the East Indies next week. The passengers will include Netherlands civil administration officials. It is reported that the Netherlands Indies " Government has warned the Allies that Allied prisoners of war, white internees, and relief parties who have gone to their assistance in Java rnav be attacked by the Indonesians: This warning was accompanied bv an official Dutch announcement that the native guerrillas may become troublesome if the arrival of Allied troops is delayed. South-east Asia Command occupation troops are moving into Java about October 4. Indonesian Nationalists have started a campaign for freedom from foreign rule (says the Batavia correspondent of the Associated Press). Ten thousand held a rally on September 20 ringed by Japanese tanks and machineguns. The Japanese are still ruling the population under the orders of the British Navy pending the arrival of the Allied occupation forces.