No Progress

Dutch and 'Republicans' At Impasse in Java

LITTLE progress has been made in political discussions in the Nether lands Indies —or Indonesia, as it is most frequently, but erroneously, called.

The Dutch would have cleared up the situation there long ago, had it not been for the persistent interference of a sec tion of the United Nations.

The prime mover against the Dutch has been Australia. Australia’s policy— in relation to Indonesia at any rate—has been dictated by the Waterside Workers’

Federation, a strongly Communist organ isation which went to the length of tying up Dutch ships in Australian ports. Fin ally, an Australian judge headed a small Commission which went from the United Nations to Java, and induced the Dutch to cease their military measures against the so-called “Republicans” (a Javanese rebel set-up organised by the Japs be fore they were defeated) and engage in conversations.

ON May 4, the following statement was issued by the Netherlands Informa tion Bureau, in Melbourne: So far, no progress whatever has been made on important issues during the Dutch-Republican negotiations now being held at Djocjakarta, under the auspices of the UN Good Offices Committee.

Although it is not considered that a deadlock has been reached, it is difficult to see what purpose can be served by further negotiations, unless one side or other makes concessions on points of principle.

The main stumbling block is the ques tion whether or not a plebiscite will have to be held in the territories under Repub lican authority. The Renville agreement stipulates that after a period of not less than six months, or not more than a year after the signing of the agreement for the settlement of the political dispute in the islands of Java, Sumatra and Madoera, “free elections will be held for self-determination by the people of their political relationship to the United States of Indonesia.”

The Republic now contends that the elections should not be held in Repub lican territory, but only in those parts of Java, Sumatra and Madoera which are occupied by the Dutch.

The Netherlands delegation considers free expression by the population, made under conditions of complete peace and security, an essential condition for the healthy construction of the future United States of Indonesia. Self-determination is one of the most important points of the Linggardjati Agreement.

THERE is political trouble only in Java.

In all other parts of the Netherlands Indies the Dutch or Indo-Dutch Administration is in full control, and the whole vast Territory is moving steadily towards the consummation of the plan for forming the United States of Indo nesia.

Meanwhile, the Territory as a whole is making increasingly rapid progress in re habilitation and economic development, and the overall position is improving every month.

There is great interest in Indonesia (and in other places) in an article by Australia’s “Foreign Minister,” Dr. Evatt, published in the “New York Times” of April 4, wherein he says: “The best solu tion, for the time being at least, would be some arrangement, which would give

a complete or considerable self-govern ment to the native populations, while permitting a continued Dutch participa tion in the political and economic de velopment of these regions.”