The Waikato Times SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1945 VIOLENCE OF INDONESIANS

Waikato Times, Volume 106, Issue 22762, 10 November 1945, Page 4

The Waikato Times SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1945 VIOLENCE OF INDONESIANS

The British ultimatum to the Indonesians in Sourabaya to surrender their arms seems likely to bring to a head the argument over the rights of the British forces in the Netherlands East Indies. It may at first result in increased violence unless the responsible elements gain control of the “lawless mob” which is endangering Allied forces engaged in the task of disposing of the Japanese who still infest the country. The fact that the Indonesians are not willing to allow the British to root out the Japanese and rescue prisoners of war and interned nationals carries its own implications. There can be no doubt about the right of Britain and her allies to go in search of the Japanese. The Indonesians, of course, accuse Britain of intending to quell the native revolt and then hand a disciplined country back to the Dutch. But Britain has made it clear that her forces are not there to decide the political future of the Netherlands East Indies. Their mission is to complete the disarming and disposal of the thousands of Japanese still under arms in the islands. Unfortunately the atmosphere was vitiated by the action of certain sections of workers in Australia, the Pacific Coast of the United States and New Zealand, who encouraged the Indonesians by ill-con-sidered resolutions and the holding up of shipping. On the excuse that arms and food were being carried in ships from Australia to assist the Dutch in regaining control of the Indies, watersiders refused to work the ships. Yet it is alleged that 1400 Indonesians who were being shipped back to the Indies carried arms concealed in their luggage. There was a display of partisanship which not only encouraged the Indonesians to greater violence but which hampered the Allied forces in Java in the execution of their duty in combing out the Japanese. Can it be suggested that Britain should leave thousands of Japanese in the Indies to continue the mischief they have done and are doing and abandon her own kith and kin in the prisons.

Now the Australian trades unions are reported to be attempting to persuade the crew of the Stirling Castle to leave the ship because it has 1600 Dutch troops aboard. This attempt to embroil Australia in a dispute which lies between the Dutch and the Indonesians is dangerous in the extreme. It is hoped the Australian Government will take action before this interference does irreparable harm. It is not Australia's business, or New Zealand’s, to take partisan action in favour of one side or the other. Already several Britons have been murdered by rebels who, from Britain’s point of view, are doing no better than delaying the ejection of the Japanese. Supporters of this violence must bear their share of the responsibility.