Ext 6116/46(S) 'Secret Weekly Political Intelligence Summaries, nos 356-416, August 1946-November 1947' [‎198v] (404/978)

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merit military operations would be virtually
over long before any steps toward foreign
intervention were likely to appear on the
scene—indeed, he confidently expected
military operations to be brought to a
successful finish within a week. He went
on to make the somewhat astonishing
statement that he had no doubt but that
some form of moderate and responsible
government would ultimately be set up at
Jogjakarta, but that, in that case, their
authority would have to be limited to
Central Java as he intended setting up a
number of separate, autonomous states in
East and West Java and possibly also in
Sumatra.
It is difficult to reconcile this programme
with the line taken by Dr. van Mook in his
broadcast from Batavia a couple of days
earlier, or with the speech delivered in the
House at The Hague by Dr. Beel on
23rd July. (See under “ Low Countries.”)
In appealing for co-operation in the
immediate formation of a normal police
force—which might enable a beginning to
be made in the reconstruction of the
country’s economic life—Dr. van Mook
went on to say that the Dutch still desire
full implementation of the Linggadjati
Agreement. This latter statement dove
tails in with the statement in Dr. Bed’s
speech that “ as soon as a Republican
Government proves able and prepared to
co-operate on the basis of Linggadjati
principles—in a position of equality with
other participant States—such a Govern
ment will find the door open again for
negotiations.” As the first principle of
the Linggadjati Agreement provides for
recognition of the Republican Govern
ment’s de facto authority over Java,
Madura and Sumatra, the “ other partici
pant States ” referred ;o by Dr. Beel would
appear obviously to be those s:t up outside
Java and Sumatra, such as “ East Indo
nesia ” and “West Borneo,” and not a
number of new states (to be) created within
Java and Sumatra. The question whether
the Netherlands Government have
repudiated, or merely suspended the
Linggadjati Agreement, however, is not at
all clear.
Dr. van Mook is also reported to have
recommended to the Netherlands Govern
ment that the whole of Java be occupied.
It is thought, however, that the Cabinet is
likely to consider this suggestion for some
days before coming to any definite decision;
and that the Government will be largely
influenced in this by the Republicans’
action—whether they pursue a policy of
systematic' destruction of property in the
interior and/or if they resort to guerrilla
warfare, of which there is at present no
evidence of intention. It is also considered
likely that a great deal may depend on
whether Dr. van Mook’s proposal is sup
ported by Professor Schermerhorn, wjap
has just left Batavia for The Hague.
On 29th July, a radio report from Jog
jakarta announced that an Indian-owned
aircraft carrying medical supplies from
Singapore, had been shot down by Dutch
fighter-planes over that city and that eight
out of the nine passengers (four of whom
were British) had lost their lives. In
Singapore the local press laid much stress
on the fact that the aircraft was carrying
Red Cross supplies. It was considered
necessary, therefore, to correct an erroneous
impression that this consignment was con
nected with the Indonesian appeal to the
Governor-General of Singapore to arrange
for the despatch and safe-conduct of planes
carrying Red Cross supplies for their
wounded—'negotiations concerning which
were proceeding with the International
Red Cross and Dutch officials. Neverthe
less, the Dutch action in shooting down the
plane has caused world-wide indignation.
Reports from both Singapore and Batavia
have confirmed, however, that the flight
was entirely unofficial and that the pilot
was warned before he set oft that he was
contravening Dutch regulations and must
be responsible, therefore, for the risk
involved.
Speaking at a press conference in New
Delhi on 28th July, the Deputy Prime
Minister of the Interim Government of
India, Pandit Nehru, announced India’s
intention to make a formal approach to the
United Nations concerning Dutch aggres
sion in Indonesia; also that the Indian
Government were taking steps to terminate
Dutch air services flying over India. He
said that representatives of the prospective
Government of Pakistan were being con
sulted and that he had no doubt that they
would agree with whatever action might
be taken. A note from the Government of
India, asking the Security Council to
endeavour to solve the Indonesian problem,
was handed to the Secretary-General of the
United Nations Organisation on 30th July.
On 30th July, also, the Australian Prime
Minister announced that the Australian
Government had instructed their repre
sentative on the Security Council to draw
the Council’s attention to the situation in
Indonesia, under Article 39 of the Charter.
(India’s request is made under Article 35.)
M. Sjarir, who is now in New Delhi, is
reported by the press to be ready to proceed