Dutch-Indonesia

Union Ended S-E Asia Position Becomes More Dangerous

ALTHOUGH popular news

papers have been headlin

ing “End of Dutch-Indonesian

Union’, there was nothing new in this for PIM readers. At

frequent intervals, over several

years, we have pointed out that the so-called Union was a Union in name only. It never func

tioned.

It was agreed to in 1949, as part of an attempt by the Dutch to save something from the wreck of their East Indies Empire, brought about when the Anglo-American Planners, and UNO, abandoned the Dutch after World War 11.

Under UNO pressure, the Dutch agreed to the constitution of an in dependent Indonesia. It was to be a Federation based on the republi can form of government: and the Federation was to be linked to the Dutch Crown in this Union.

But the Indonesians never played ball. The gang of semi-literate political adventurers which seized power in Java after the war. and called themselves a “republican government,” gradually extended their hold over the whole _of the Indies: and there never has been anything resembling a general elec tion. The Indonesia*! “govern ment’s” main concern has been to hold onto power and, whenever pub lic discontent became active, to cause a distraction by shrieking to the world that it was .determined at all costs to take Western New Guinea from the Netherlands. In donesia’s move to end the “Union” had the same purpose.

All this has been going on for years. Year by year, Indonesia has deteriorated, politically, econom ically and socially. The so-called Government has lost the support of both Moslem parties and now is ,kept in power by the Communists, who have grown steadily in strength over the past five years, and appar ently are in close contact with the growing Communist power in Southeast Asia.

Again and again, we have pointed out that this Red penetration is of .vital concern to Australia and all countries in the South Pacific, be cause Indonesia presents Southeast Asia with a readymade bridge to the South Pacific. Indonesia, at any time, will collapse and fall under the power of the Communists— probably when Red China’s armies enter Malaya.

AGAINST this background, it is easy for any intelligent per . son to assess for himself the significance of these very recent events: France herself embarrassed greatly by Red influence within her government—has abandoned to the Reds the northern half of Vietnam, the most important area in Indo china.

To stop further advances by the Chinese Reds, America has been trying to promote a South East Asia Defence Pact. Britain. Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Siam, Philip pines and France have joined or stand in support; but India and Burma have not; and India and Indonesia are now trying to set up an Asian-African Pact to defy the Western Powers, and to induce American-dominated Philippines to join it.

Australia at last has stated, in forthright fashion, that it does not approve of Indonesia’s demands for West New Guinea; that it will resist Indonesia’s effort to bring the matter before the UNO Assembly m September; and that it is work ing amicably with the Dutch in the

rapid development of Dutch N< Guinea.

The Dutch now are construct! a chain of airstrips along the nort west and northern coasts of Wt New Guinea, right up to Holland and close to the Australian N< Guinea border. These are close linked with air aid sea defen plans.

It is clear from several ever that Nehru, Prime Minister India, is increasingly hostile to t Western Powers who are trying protect their interests in ai around Southeast Asia and that i more and more, is looking towar Africa, where there are big settl ments of Jndians.