Indonesian Chaos
p. 23 · Read in the full issue
Threat to West N. Guinea
r:E politico-economic situation in Indonesia shows progressive de terioration. Month by month, during 1953, this journal has re ported events which lead us to be lieve that, as the threat of complete collapse grows, there is growing danger that the gang of political adventurers in power at Djakarta will try to force the populace to support them by making some sort of armed demonstration against the Dutch in West New Guinea.
That, of course, would immediately involve Australia and Australian New Guinea.
In mid-November, we reported that organisations (some of them Islamic in character) which had re volted against the Government were in control of areas in North Su matra, Western Java and the Celebes; and that Communists with strong Chinese affiliations were steadily infiltrating the archipela goes.
It was reported on December 1 that Mr. Sunarjo, “Foreign Minister of Indonesia,” told the Aneta News Agency in Djakarta that the Cabinet is making preparations for the rapid abolition of the Union under which Indonesia is linked with the Netherlands, and “for the speedy incorporation of West New Guinea into the republic.”
No very early or dangerous armed attack is likely; but the writing is on the wall.