EVENTS IN JAVA

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23347, 2 November 1945, Page 4

EVENTS IN JAVA

Murder Of Brigadier Mallaby

Dutch Consul Expresses Regret (N.Z.P.A.) WELLINGTON. Nov. 1. "That such a tiling should have happened is most regrettable,” said the new Consul-General for the Netherlands in New Zealand, Dr. W. E. Van Panhuys, referring today to the murder of Brigadier A. W. F. Mallaby in Sourabaya. The unfortunate delay in the arrival of Allied troops to receive the surrender of the Japanese in Java and to take over their arms had resulted in much of the armament reaching the hands of hot-headed Indonesian youths. “Anything can happen in such circumstances,” he said. Dr. Van Panhuys said he could not, till he received official confirmation, believe tnac the reported instruction to the Lieutenant-Governoi-General of the Indies, Dr. van Mook, to open conversations with the sell-styied Indonesian leader. Dr. rioekarno, was correct. Dr. Soekarno was definitely non persona grata with the Dutch authorities. He had co-operated with tne Japanese to further the aims of his Indonesian Nationalist Party, but he had really gone much further than that. His visits to Japan, Ills receipt of honours from the Japanese Emperor, and many of his statements during the Japanese occupation had gonis far beyond anything necessary lor the furtherance of his plans. There Were several enlightened Indonesians who favoured the development of Indonesian self-government, but they did not wish to’ attain that end by violence. They preferred progressive development. The Netherlands author!-■ ties are and have always been ready to discuss with such Indonesians the progressive establishment of selfgovernment in the Indies not as a colony (that word was expunged from our constitution some time ago) but as a junior partner of the Realm,” said Dr. Van Panhuys. There was certainly much of the private wealth of the citizens of the Netherlands invested in the Indies, just as there was much wealth invested there by foreign citizens, for there was no bar raised to foreign investment. Dr. Soekarno himself had stated he was prepared for that to continue.

“I want it made clear that our attitude is and has been the progressive granting of self-government. It is an upward movement which cannot and should not. be retarded. It is as much for our good as for that of the Indonesians. The sterner measures ordered by Lieut.-General Sir Philin Christison after the murder of Brigadier Mallaby might well end in the restoration of order, and with erd-r restored the nroblem. which is similar to that in India and Palestine, might be more easily resolved.”