Declaration Of War

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23331, 15 October 1945, Page 5

Declaration Of War

Indonesian People’s Army Proclamation Guerrillas Io Fight Dutch, Eurasians And Ambonese By Telegraph—N.Z. Press Assn. —Copyright (Received 7.30 p.m.) LONDON, October 13. HEADQUARTERS of the Indonesian People’s “ Army issued a proclamation declaring war against Dutch, Eurasians and Ambonese. The proclamation orders Indonesians to start guerrilla warfare. “When the sun sets we Indonesians are warring against the Dutch. We order with this declaration all Indonesians to find their own enemy—Dutch, Eurasians and Ambonese —and weapons of war of all kinds, firearms, also poison darts, arrows, all means of arson, any kind of wild animals and snakes. Guerrilla warfare will be stepped up by economic warfare. No food may be sold to any enemy. Markets should be strictly guarded. Those selling food to our enemies will be severely punished.” The proclamation was signed “Markas Barisan Rajat, headquarters Indonesian Army.” Indonesian Nationalists imprisoned all Japanese troops in Sourabaya and cut all communications with Batavia, says Reuter’s correspondent, quoting a naval officer who has just arrived from Sourabaya. The officer said that the airfield was taken over. No planes were permitted to land or take off.

The foolish attitude of Australian labour has prolonged the unspeakable sufferings of the people of Java, declared the Dutch Prime Minister (Professor W. Schermerhorn) in a broadcast over the Dutch radio. It filled him with abhorrence, especially when he thought of the good service Dutch ships had rendered to Australia. The Government, he continued, could not deviate from the course it had set itself to bring self-government to Indonesia, but would not let itself be forced into negotiations. He strongly appealed to the British Government and was confident that necessary military measures would be taken soon. Clearly, the situation required urgent handling. AU authority in Java had collapsed and Dr. Soerkarno (President, could not master the insurrection he had started. Japanese troops, under orders from a British major, regained control of Bandoeng from Indonesians after a two-day battle, reports a correspondent of the "Daily Express” from Bandoeng. “One could not help a feeling of revulsion in seeing the screaming Japanese rushing madly with fixed bayonets down the street under our auspices,” he wrote. "The pitful Indonesians never had a chance. The Japanese brought out guns and tanks and sprayed machine-gun bullets into handfuls of youthful hooligans, whose chief crime was their vainglorious ignorance.” mere probably were not more than a few score casualties among the Indonesians, and the Japanese also had a few killed and wounded. "The Japanese had longed for the order to clear the town. They were ready for battle because in tne last few weeks they had suffered many indignities from trousered youths armed with sticks, stones, and a tew guns.” British Officers Shot Indonesians on Thursday snot dead a British captain and an Indian officer in the centre of Batavia. 'ine bodies were subsequently badly mutilated. Ine officers were leading a patrol oi Indian troops to investigate the wounding of a Dutch woman, when suddenly they were fired on. Reinforcements were summoned, the whole area wts combed, and a pitched battle later developed, in wnich six Indonesians were wounded and more than 40 arrested. Reliable Dutch sources report that many German marines hidden in the bouiabaya area are in possession of false possports. under which they are luoing ineir true identity. incidents have increased slightly in Batavia. Guards outside General Vanouyen’s house shot up a civilian car. one of the occupants was killed and three were wounded. Dutch and Eurasians continue to be spirited off. Ten have gone missing in the last 24 hours. Discoloration of local water because oi the low level in the reservoirs has led to wild rumours that the water has been poisoned. The main reservoir is 20 miles south-east of Batavia, and has been unguarded since outlaws drove off the Japanese guard, thus lending colour to the rumour. Situation Quieter Tension Remains High (Rec. 9.18 p.m.) BATAVIA, Oct. 14. Although the situation is officially described as quieter, it has the appearance of a lull rather than an easing of the general tension. Road blocks have reappeared. While these were being cleared last night Indian troops killed six and wounded two Indonesians. British troops are now running the main Batavia airfield, the Dutch having moved to Tjiliitan where they clashed with the Indonesians, several of whom were killed The Japanese have regained control of Bandoeng. The Nationalists are reported to be losing control in Sourabaya. They are afraid of the extremists. All Dutch nationals were removed from the hotel and placed in protective custody by the Indonesians. The Nationalist movement is gaining ground in Bali. In an endeavour to bring the Indonesian Nationalists' claims officially before world opinion. Dr. Soekarno (President) has wirelessed the American Secretary 6f State (Mr James F. Byrnes) asking that the Far Eastern Advisory Committee which is meeting in San F'rancisco on October 23, give the nationalists representation and recognise their case. Only BrigadierGeneral Carles Momulo (Resident Commissioner in the Philippines, among the four Dr. Soekarno'invited to visit Batavia and examine the nationalists case has so far replied to the invitation directly. He sent an expression of sympathy with his ideals.