TENSION ACUTE

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23346, 1 November 1945, Page 5

TENSION ACUTE

Uneasy Truce In Sourabaya Unusual Agreement

By Telegraph—N.Z Press Assn.—Copyright (Rec. 7.30 p.m.) BATAVIA. Oct. 30. Tension is still acute both in Sourabaya and Batavia. Fighting flared up again in Sourabaya to-day, but Dr. Soekarno (Indonesian “President”) and MajorGeneral Hawthorn (British Commander in Sourabaya) arranged for another truce at nightfall. The first truce was arranged by Dr. Soekarno yesterday, but it lasted only overnight. The price of the cessation of hostilities in Sourabaya to-day was an unusual agreement, by which each side restored the arms taken from the other. Separate areas were allotted and military control of Sourabaya was exercised by a joint Indonesian and British body.

Tire major differences of opinion are to be settled in Batavia' jointly by General Hawthorn and Dr. Soekarno. It is unofficially reported that the Indonesians insisted that no Dutch troops land, and it was also reported that the British frigate Waveney hastily put to sea to-day to intercept two Dutch ships and turn them back. A radio broadcast from Sourabaya, In Malapan, painted the situation as a moral victory for the Indonesians. Observers returning from Sourabaya say there is no doubt that the Indonesians are cockahoop after three weeks of undisputed control of the city, and feel that they are master of the situation. With tanks, armoured cars and mortars to back their arguments, they are able to raise the bidding to the limit, and still feel they are being modest. The general view is that British prestige has not been enhanced by the whole tragic episode, but the thinness of our force, with a total strength of 3000, mainly Indian troops, left no perceptible alternative to the men on the spot. An official British spokesman, after giving the points of the truce, said that when the latest report was received to-night, the arrangement did not appear to be working successfully, at least on the part of the Indonesians, who were still shooting, and Indonesians were attacking a British companv in the telephone office area. It is believed that the reason for the firing is that orders to cease fire were reaching the Indonesians more slowly than the British, who were able to use wireless more. British Aims The spokesman said that there was no question of General Hawthorn being forced to accept the terms. He had given the Indonesians orders which he told them must be carried out. The British did not wish to fight the Indonesians, but came only to disarm the Japanese and safeguard the lives of prisoners of war and internees. It has been agreed with the Indonesians that onlv the T.K.R. (Tentera Keananon Rajah, Peace Preservation Army, and regular police will be allowed to retain arms. The extremist group, 8.K.R., also using the name of Peace Preservation Corps, has been ordered to be disarmed.

Dr. Hatta. vice-president of the Java Central Council, declared that the misunderstanding of the agreement between Brigadier A. W. S. Mallaby (commander of the 49th Indian Infantry Brigade) and Dr. Mocstqpo (the self-appointed Republican Minister of Defence) was the cause of the Sourabaya disturbances. Dr. Hatta explained that the original agreement stated: "To maintain law and order it is agreed that the Allied and Indonesian forces will co-operate,” also that Japanese forces would be disarmed and taken under Allied control. When Allied leaflets were later dropped saying that the Indonesians should be disarmed, extremist leaders regarded this as a breach of the agreement. Dr. Hatta added that the Indonesian Government’s Peace Preservation Army would disarm the population. Dr. Soekarno. Dr. Hatta. Mr Awie Sjarifuddin (“Minster of Information”) and General Hawthorn , returned to Bal avia from Sournbava by air tonight after making final arrangements for the cessation of hostilities will) the Indonesians. After yesterdav’s truce firing continued throughout the night desultorily, but when dawn came it flared up. So far as can be gathered there were no more attacks, bul the Indonesians continued firing at intervals from prepared positions. They sniped at anything that came along. The British brought artillery into

play this morning with unknown results. Firing grew hotter as the day advanced until the arrival of General Hawthorn, after which a conference was held, and the cease fire ordered. A Seaforth Highlander detachment killed seven looters in Batavia last night.