BRITISH ORDER TO THE INDONESIANS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 266, 10 November 1945, Page 5

BRITISH ORDER TO THE INDONESIANS

ARMS MUST BE LAID DOWN FIRM ACTION IN SOURABAYA Recd. 1 1 p.m. London, Nov. 9. The British commander-in-chief in Java, Major-General E. C. Mansergh, has ordered all Indonesians in the Sourabaya naval base and other areas in east Java, to surrender their arms by 6 o’clock to-morrow (Saturday) morning, or "face all the naval force, Army and Air Forces under my command.

“All Indonesians who are not willing to follow these instructions will be responsible for the bloodshed which will definitely result,” Major-General Mansergh’s order added. Leaflets were dropped over Sourabaya, calling upon the Indonesians to surrender their arms. They are to carry white flags and go to specified places, and there hand over their arms. The British commander has also ordered the surrender of all leaders, including the police chief and other similar officials. This order must be obeyed by six o’clock this evening. The British commander in the Netherlands East Indies, Lieut.General Christison, has broadcast a statement that the British intend to rout out and punish the murderers of Brigadier Mallaby. Anybody hindering the British in this task, or interfering with nationals in Java, will be punished. The Indonesian leaders must sign a document of unconditional surrender. The “Daily Mail’s” Sourabaya correspondent said that although tension is mounting, and well-organised Indonesians are taking up new positions, Major-General Mansergh is in a far better position than was Brigadier Mallaby. He has almost a full division in the Sourabaya area, with complete air support.

The ultimatum informing the Indonesians that the British intend to take control of Sourabaya and disarm the lawless mob which is in charge of the city was issued yesterday by MajorGeneral Mansergh, reports an “Exchange Telegraph ’ correspondent in Batavia. The ultimatum followed a broadcast from a station in Sourabaya calling on Indonesians to prevent the landing of Dutch troops arriving in Batavia and Timor from Australia. Major-General Mansergh's ultimatum declared: “Sourabaya is occupied by looters, rioters and uncontrolled masses, all fully armed. The normal life of the City is at a standstill and nobody’s property is safe.” Indonesians immediately broadcast instructions not to give up arms to the British. Major-G .neral Mansergh later summoned Soekarno to a confer-1 ence. Tension in Sourabaya mounted after delivery of the ultimatum. Indonesians nr. r the British perimeter in the docks area became more hostile,, and a few armed with machine-guns infiltrated through the British lines and took up positions in buildings, from which British troops ejected them. An Associated Press correspondent in Batavia reported that the R.A.F. drooped leaflets on Sourabaya to-day’ giving the Indonesians instructions for the surrender of arms. Pamphlets were also dropped giving reasons for the British action and accusing the Indonesians on October 28 oi "treacherously and without reason making a sudden attack against the British Army which had come to disarm the Japanese, bring succour to prisoners of war and internees, and preserve peace and order.” After mentioning casualties among the British forces and women and children internees, the pamphlet states that Brigadier Mallaby was killed while making an effort to stop fighting and despite the Indonesians’ promise to cease fire.

A correspondent says that the Indonesian leaders fear serious fighting will follow the dropping of the pamphlets.

The Netherlands news agenev says that the Indonesians delivered Brigadier Mallaby’s body to the British at Sourabaya. He was buried with military honours at Sourabavn airfield.