Dutch Firmer
p. 18 · Read in the full issue
They Will Not Give Up West N. Guinea
THERE was a significant develop ment in the Netherlands-Indo nesian struggle over Western New Guinea on October 30, when the Dutch Government announced that it would not resume its discussions with Indonesia and that it had no intention of relinquishing or limiting its sovereignty over Western New Guinea.
This controversy has been going on since 1949 and it seemed at times that Holland would surrender to the Indonesian demand.
The attitude of Australia had a strong influence on the situation.
While the Socialist Dr. Evatt was Minister in charge of Australian over seas affairs, Indonesia was encouraged to pursue her struggle against the Dutch; but as soon as the non- Socialist Government took office in Australia it became apparent that Australia, in every possible way, would resist the surrender of Western New Guinea to Indonesia or to any other country which might open the East Indies islands corridor to the hordes of Asia.
Since the Dutch announcement, Indonesian President Soekarno has re-acted bitterly against the Western powers, and there have been anti- Dutch demonstrations in Java.