OFFICERS RIDICULE STATEMENTS

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

OFFICERS RIDICULE STATEMENTS

NEAR Mu nN i UN THE ESPEKANU BAY Recd. 5.5 p.m. Batavia, Nov. 7. Officers on the Esperance Bay ridiculed the statements by Cr. Calweii and Mr. Chifley that 14U0 Indonesians who threatened to mutiny on liie ship had been “co-operative." The master of the Esperance Bay. Captain Johnson, said: "The Indonesians were co-operative in sc- iar as they got to Batavia.” Other officers described the situation as teve, and said only careful handling by the master of the vessel saved bloodshed. The officers said the Indonesians io'-uded the liner in Australia without being checked, or their baggage searched. There was no knowledge of how many Indonesians wore aboard until r. ililery police at Brisbane made a check. The ship s captain then sain a destroyer escort we-jld bo required. Officers were emphatic thai the Indonesians wcie given to understand. b'f<ro leaving Australia, ♦!mt they were being laken direct to Java. Referring to piles of luxurv and baggage on the docksid ’ to-day officers remarked: “The Indonesians certainly did well for themselves over there. They made piles of monev.” AH the Indonesians - orcort tho { r who were bob’, in the .‘bin's cells un»!'. taken nshrvv undo- British nave’ n-.ini-. 1 - n acoommodcß-yl in two b ; - indor <.''■••• n cam os in Bed avia. They are free to travel anywhere in Java.