ESPERANCE BAY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 264, 8 November 1945, Page 5

ESPERANCE BAY

STATEMENT AS TO WHAT DID HAPPEN TRNSFERRING INDONESIANS TO JAVA i t Special) Sydney, Nov. 7 ! The following statement regarding i the Indonesians on the Esperance Bay was made by the Commonwealth acting Minister for External Affairs, on November 5: “The objective which the Government had before it when it embarked a large number of Indonesians on the Espeiance Bay, has been accomplished expeditiously and in all the difficult circumstances ..-uccessfully and smoothly. Prior to the embarkation of the Indonesians, the authorities were confronted with the problem of what to do with large and increasing numbers of Indonesians in Melbourne. Sydney, and Brisbane. Many of these had left their ships in Australian ports, others had refused to carry on work for the Netherlands authorities, ’he majority showed no evidence that they were able to support themselves. Before being embarked, the Indonesians were given the alternative of deportation to some Australian territory, or of voluntary returning to the Netherlands East Indies. The Government was insistent that they should comply with the Australian Immigration Laws and this meant that they had to leave Australia. At the ;ame time, the authorities had to recognise that the great majority had been actuated by political motives. They were not, therefore, disposed forcibly to return them to their own territory. “The embarkation of the Indonesians on the Esperance Bay took place with the acquiescence of the Netherlands authorities in Australia, and proceeded with the agreement of the South-east Asia Command/ The ship carried 40 D.E.M.S. ratings, but on the advice of the master and of Australian officials on the spot, no other guards were put on board. For the same reason it considered desirable to conduct any search for arms, the existence of which was thought likely. Oher precautions were taken.

Mr. Makin stressed that it was to be borne in mind that the problem of getting the Indonesians away, was one of great delicacy and that any provocation might have prevented the initiation of the movement. While the vessel was en route Netherlands officials in Batavia, who, appear to have become concerned lest extreme elements were on board, expressed strong opposition to any of the Indonesians being landed in either Java or Sumatra so as not to deity the Esperance Bay, and in an effort to meet the objections raised in Batavia, While at the same time honouring the assurance giycn .ho :?ns, a list of leader's, numbering 44, was compiled by the Australian and Dutch security authorities and transmitted to the Esperance Bay on her arrival at Koepang. There the position was explained to those on board and to facilitate the further movement of the ship, an attempt was made to disembark those of the 44 who could be identified. These numbered .19. The attitude of the Indonesians, which up to this time had been entirely cooperative, now became threatening. It was, Therefore, thought desirable al Koepang to place an armed guard on board a. a protection for the snip on her onwards journey. The movement had to proceed without interruption and, if possible, without incident, and consequently no Indonesians were disembarked. The Esperance Bay then sailed under the escort of H.M.A.S. Arunta. a precaution which bad been observed since she had left Australian waters at Darwin during tne voyage from Sydney. “One thousand four hundred of those on boai d had asked to be landed at Sourabaya, eighteen asked to be landed at Medan,” said Mr. Makin. “It is not unlikely that the Indnoesians had hoped that by the time the Esperance Bay reached N.E.I. waters, the whole area, or at least the porL at which they desired to land, would be under Nationalist control. This expectation was not realised during the voyage. From Koepang onwards the military situation in Java rapidly deteriorated and it became quite impossible to land any at Sourabaya. The master of the ship fount it necessary to go on to Batavia (lor which port, incidently, many had earlier pressed), and all will be disembarked there, except the nineteen abovementioned. On present plans these nineteen will be brought back to Koepang.”

Mr. Makin emphasised that this movement had started before the situation in Java had developed. It was essential for the Indonesians to leave Australia. It was equally important not to delay the Esperance Bay from her normal purposes. Regard had to be paid to any legitimate objections to this or that course of action rat ed, either bv the Netherlands authorities, or by the Indonesians themselves. These results had been achieved. Mr. Makin said that as tne position stands, the Esperance Bay has been used for backloading and without any delays, and an extremely delicate and necessary operation has been undertaken by the Australian authorities with what in all the circumstances can .only be regarded as a maximum of success.