27 Massey to Department of External Affairs
Cablegram 8 SINGAPORE, 5 January 1949, 5.01 p.m.
IMMEDIATE CONFIDENTIAL
My telegram No. 3. [1]
Assume situation in Java (most information now emanate from Chinese Newspapers in Batavia) will have been reported to you direct. Tomorrow's bag carries resume of latest news available here.
2. Situation in Sumatra is given in Republican morsecasts as follows:
(a) Djambi. Fighting continues on Djambi Muaratebo Road. No Dutch troops in Djambi town.
(b) Kamang West Sumatra. Fighting continued yesterday. Indonesians charge the Dutch with retaliation against Civilians.
(c) Military Government under Dr. M. Rashid set up in West Sumatra residency.
(d) Coweneh (according to press) guerilla engaged with the Dutch landing party at Oeleehuelu according to the Indonesians' Radio because of communication difficulties, unit Commanders have been ordered to act on their own initiative in this area.