DUTCH LAUNCH OFFENSIVE

Chronicle (Levin), 20 December 1948, Page 5

DUTCH LAUNCH OFFENSIVE

f.M ( N.Z.P.A. —

Reuter ,

Purge Of Indonesian Terrorists Troops Gccupy Capital Of Java

ConyriQht)

Eeceived Monday, 10.15 a.m. BATAVIA, 'December'19. Strong Dutdh forces landed at two points in Java yesterday and immediately went into action against the Indonesian Republic, says a Netherlands Army communique. Other Dutch troops went into action at Sumatra. • ' Late tonight, a Dutch communique announeed that the Dutch forces were in full possession of the Republiean capital, Jogjakarta, and that the Republiean President, Dr. Soekarno, and the Premier, Dr. Mohamed Hatta, had been taken prisoners.

Paratroops were dropped- at, Maguwo airfield, eight miies from Jogjakarta, this morning and the • airfield was captured practically undamaged. Shortlv afterwards airborne troops landed and tonight it was announeed that Jogjakarta was entirely occupied by the Dutch airborne forces. The communique said that there was only one fire in the town. Other Republiean ledders captured in Jogjakarta induded the former Premier, Dr. Sultan Sjahrir, and the Foreign.' Minister, Mr. Hadji Agoes Salim. The communique records advances by the ground forces in south-west and central Java, east Java and morth Sumatra. The communique also announces that after the capture of Jogjakarta airfield, a Catalina aircraft piloted by an American landed with seven passengers, all of whom were interned for investigation. Less than 24 hours after the start of their ofiensive against the Republic, the Dutch were tonight in full possession of the Republiean capital and held prisoner all the most important Republiean leaders. Republiean Strength Ordinarily, says Reuter's correspondent, this would be a paralysing blow, but since the Republiean armed forces have adopted guerilla warfare the complete collapse of their resistance may not necessarily follow. With the Republiean radio silent, the only information available in Batavia comes from official Dutch sources, which makes it diffieult to judge the strength of the Republiean resistance. In addition, since the Dutch Army command has not announeed its immediate objective, there is no indication whether the advance of the ground forces is in accord with plans. A link-up between the ground forces and airborne troops dropped at Jogjakarta has not been announeed, nor the progress towafds the junetion indicated. Meanwhile, high-ranking Republiean prisoners are accommodated in the homes of Dr. Soekarno and Dr. Hatta at Jogjakarta. Dr. Soekarno was to have gone to India at the invitation of the Prime Minister, Pandit Nehru, for a conference. The identity of the Catalina erew and passengers captured at Jogjakarta remains a matter for speculation, but it may have beenj a last-minute attempt by externaP sympathisers to evacuate the Republiean chiefs. The Security Council will meet in Paris tomorrow morning to discuss the Indonesian situation. The United States, supported by Australia, has requested the Security Council meeting.

Reuter's The Hague correspon-' dent reports- that the Dutch Parliament has been convoked for tomorrow to hear a Government .statement on Indonesia. New Delhi radio reported that the plenary session of the Indian National Congress unanimously adopted a resolution stating that it was a matter of utmost concern to India that Indonesia should attain her full freedom. The resolution added that Indonesia should choose her right -to a place in Asian and international affairs. Pandit Nehru said that the Dutch action in resuming hostilities in Indonesia was "contrary to the principles of the United, Nations Charter." Pandit Nehru, who was addressing the Indian National Congress, added: "We are pledged to end alien domination of Asia." ' He said the Dutch action would have serious repercussions in Indiat, in Asia and perhaps "other countries. "Though we cannot give the Indonesian Republic effective aid now, ve cannot remain idle spectators. No one can prevent the tide of mdependence in Asiatic countries. Our foreign policy is that no foreign power' should rule over any Asiatic country. "The reaction to the Dutch action will be heard soon all over the Asiatic countries. We have considered our course of action ander the circumstances." Call To Security Council In Paris, an Indonesian spokesman announeed that the Indonesan Republic will call on the Security Council to order a cease fire in Indonesia and a withdrawal to the positions held before the Dutch military action began. The spokesman said that it was not merely a coincidence that the Dutch held their fire until . the United Nations assembly adjdurned. The chief of the Dutch delegation, Mr. Herman van Royen, declared that the Dutch Government had already stated that it did not consider that the Security Council had a right to interfere since the United Nations Charter forbids interference in disputes considered to be within the domestic jurisdiction of member States. The Dutch Foreign Minister, Mr. Du Stikker, stated in The Hague that Holland had prepared a dossier on the Indonesian situation that would justify "police aetion" before the Security Council. He added that the Dutch Government had been working for two months on the dossier giving "inside information" on Republiean truce violations and other facts. Mr. Stikker said that there would be no victimisation of the captured Indonesian Republiean leaders.